Board, ski & swim

Taking on the surf as a swimmer, malibu board paddler or surf ski paddler is one of the most challenging things you can do – racing out into the waves and then coming back, trying to catch the biggest waves first, hold on when they break and come home in front, is a fantastic experience. It requires surf knowledge, surf skills, strength, and fitness, including some beach running in and out of the water, and everyone has a chance given the unpredictability of the waves.

Races

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.

Surf board race

From the beach (standing start) each competitor enters the water with their surf board, paddles around all buoys and returns to the beach. The winner is judged by the first competitor to cross the finish line on their feet and in contact with their board.

Surf Race

Dryland start where the swimmers wade and ‘dolphin’ through the waves out to a set of buoys and back to the beach, body surfing the waves to get to the front of the race!

Beach events

The beach events include distance running on the sand (1 and 2 km), beach sprints (90m), beach flags and beach relays (4x beach sprint teams).  The sand adds a completely different challenge to normal athletics events and can be great cross-training for aspiring athletes.  The beach flags although appearing at first sight as a ‘novelty event’, is one of the hardest fought competitions in all of the surf life-saving competitions.

Competition

Competitors have the opportunity to travel around the State and Country to attend carnivals. Carnivals are generally held between December & March in Victoria and the season ends with the Australian Titles hosted by Broadbeach SLSC and North Burleigh SLSC from 18-19 April 2020. Every athlete must have a minimum qualification of either a Surf Rescue Certificate (Juniors) or a Bronze Medallion and must meet the patrol hour requirements according to their membership category to compete.