SURF SPORTS

Surf Sports is the competition arm of Surf Life Saving Australia from U14s to Masters (30+).

Combining rescue-inspired water sports with soft sand events and beach patrol scenarios, it is a unique series of individual and team competition events during the summer season where active Surf Life Saving members represent their club in local, state, and national competitions.

North Bondi Surf Club has a strong and rewarding history in Surf Sports and has become one of the most competitive Clubs in Australia.

Surf Sport Events

WATER EVENTS

IRONS
The Iron Man and Iron Woman events are conducted over a course consisting of three legs, including a swim, surf ski and surf board. The race concludes with a beach sprint to the finish line. The order of the legs may vary and is decided by draw prior to the event.

TAPLIN RELAY
Teams of swimmers, board paddlers and ski paddlers, compete together as a team relay over an Iron Man course. The order of the legs may vary and is decided by draw prior to the event.

The Taplin Relay event may be conducted in three person (one swimmer, one surf board and one surf ski paddler), six person (two competitors for each water leg), or four person (one competitor per water leg plus a beach sprinter to complete the race) variations.

SURF BOARD RESCUE RACE
This two-person event comprises of a surf swimmer and a surf board paddler. The race commences with the swimmer swimming to their allocated buoy and then signalling back to the beach for their board paddler to come out and collect them. Once the paddler reaches the swimmer, the two paddle their board back to the beach and cross the finish line.

SINGLE SURF SKI RACE
From a floating start, competitors paddle their surf ski around three buoys and return to the finish line. The finish is judged when any part of the surf ski crosses the finish line with the competitor and their paddle all in contact.

DOUBLE SURF SKI RACE
From a floating start, competitors (two per ski) paddle their ski around three buoys and return to the finish line. The finish is judged when any part of the ski crosses the finish line with both team members and at least one paddle in contact with the ski.

BEACH EVENTS

BEACH SPRINT
Competitors race on a straight sand course of approximately 70 – 90metres to the finishing line.

BEACH RELAY
Teams of 4 competitors race on a straight sand course of approximately 70 – 90metres with a baton, running one lap each.

BEACH FLAGS
Competitors start lying on their stomach facing away from a baton/s buried in the sand approximately 15 – 20m away. There is always less batons than competitors. On the starting gun, competitors rise, turn and race to secure a baton. The competitor(s) who fail to obtain a baton are eliminated. The process repeats until there is a single winner.

2KM BEACH RUN
Competitors race on a sand course in four laps of 500m to total approximately 2km.

SURF BOAT EVENTS

SURF BOAT EVENTS
A boat crew shall consist of five competitors, four of whom are “rowers” and a “sweep” who controls the boat by use of a sweep oar and commands to the rowers. Boat crews start at the water’s edge holding their boats ready. On the starting signal, crews row around their assigned turning buoy situated approximately 400m off shore and return to the beach. The winner is the first crew to pass their boat between the finish flags on the beach.

LIFE SAVING EVENTS

CHAMPION LIFE SAVER
This event provides an individual the opportunity to demonstrate their physical and mental skills required to be a life saver. The skills include a life saving questionnaire, resuscitation, surf race, surf board race, beach sprint and a rescue tube race. A point score based on the results achieved determines the winner.

PATROL COMPETITION
The aim of the patrol competition is to demonstrate how surf life savers work as a team in performing some or all skills associated with surf rescue patrol work. Team members in the patrol competition must be from the same club. The patrol competition includes a number of physical skills, practical and theory tasks involving racing, rescue and/or first aid situations.

FIRST AID COMPETITION
The first aid competition is a team event, and is conducted with a set simulated accident scenario and a time limit for each team. The time limit is advised prior to the commencement of competition. Judging is based on SLS First Aid standards.

MARCH PAST

March Past is one of surf life saving's original events and represents the traditional discipline of a surf life saver. Teams, often dressed in full length Club swimming costumes, march in time to music around a set course carrying a surf reel, line and belt and following their standard (flag) bearer. Teams march in formation following commands and they are judged on factors such as timing, arm and leg swing, space and dressing, body carriage and presentation.

IRB RACING EVENTS

A high-octane event, Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) racing comprises of competitors from Clubs around the country fighting it out for surf rescue supremacy. Aside from the spills and thrills of the competition the event is a real reinforcement of life saving skills. The races are all about simulating rescue situations and testing the abilities of drivers and crew people as they’re transferred to a competitive setting.

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