Competitions
The surf lifesaving competition season starts in November each year with a number of inter-club competitions, followed by Western Province Regional Champs, usually in March, and then SA Champs. Each year a different Surf Lifesaving Club from a different province hosts the national event.
In addition to these competitions, lifeguards also battle it out annually in the Llandudno 8-man Classic. Masters (lifeguards 30 years and older) from clubs around the Western Cape are invited to participate in the Big Bay Masters’ Classic, hosted by our Club every year in March.
Who can compete?
All qualified lifeguards may compete in local competitions. In order to qualify for selection to the team competing in the National Championships, Big Bay lifeguards also have to perform at least 30 hours of voluntary duty.
Junior lifeguards who have qualified for the Junior Lifeguard Award (JLA) compete in the U15 and U17 age groups. Only lifeguards with a Lifeguard Award (LA) can compete in the Junior (U19) and the Open (over 19) divisions.
Team events have Junior and Open divisions.
Master lifeguards (over 30) may compete in the Open division if they feel fit and strong enough. Most only compete in the Masters’ division.
Know the Events
Beach Flags
Starting from a prone position, competitors launch themselves, turn and run to retrieve a beach flag buried in the sand about 20 metres away. In each heat there is one beach flag less than the number of competitors. The one who fails to get a flag is eliminated.
Beach Run
There are two longer distance runs along the beach of 1 000 metres for Masters and the junior age groups, and 2000 metres for the Open section.
Beach Sprint
This is a sprint over 90 metres along the beach. There is also a sprint relay event for teams.
Surf Swim Race
Competitors swim through the surf over a course of about 300 metres, marked by buoys.
Tube Rescue
The first member of a team swims about 120 meters to a buoy and signals to the second member. The second team member then, donning fins and a rescue tube, races to the patient, puts the rescue tube around the “patient”, and tows the “patient” back to the beach. Two additional teammates must then drag or carry the victim across the finish line.
Run Swim Run
Competitors run to a flag on the beach, enter the water, swim out and around buoys, return to the beach, and run to the finish line.
Surf Ski Race
Starting in water approximately knee deep, competitors paddle surf skis around a course of about 700 meters long.
Board Race
Starting on the beach, competitors enter the water with their rescue boards and paddle around a course of about 600 metres long, then run to the finish line after returning to the beach.
Craft Rescue
The first member of a 5-man team is dropped about 120 metres out in the water at a buoy. The paddler goes out to “rescue” the first member with a rescue craft and then paddles to shore where the remaining team members assist to carry the craft and patient across the finish line on the beach.
Board Rescue
The first member of a team swims about 120 meters to a buoy and signals to the second member of the team, who must “rescue” the first member with a rescue board. They then paddle to shore and cross the finish line on the beach.
Ironman
This is a race that includes four legs: swimming (300m), boarding (600m), surf skiing (700m), and a sprint (75m) on the beach to the finish.
Taplin Relay
Similar to the Iron Man, team members compete in four different disciplines: swimming, rescue boarding, surf ski paddling and running. The running leg is always last, but the sequence of the other three is determined by a pre-race draw.
Surf Boat Race
Starting in knee-deep water, crews (one sweep and four oarsmen) climb into their boats and row through the surf around a course approximately 800 metres long.