Surf sports play a pivotal role in the surf life saving community. First introduced by the movement as a tool to develop and retain surf lifesavers, the intent is to aid in the advancement of skills necessary to carry out Surf Life Saving’s core purpose, saving lives on our beaches. These outcomes remain true of surf sports today with members participating in a variety of events that promote a healthy lifestyle, comradery and sportsmanship – ensuring members are fit, skilled and experienced to patrol our beaches.
Competition begins in U8’s with the number and distance of events increasing as participants progress through the Nippers program until the U14’s season is completed. Junior athletes must gain a relevant award every year and pass a competition skills evaluation test in order to compete every season. Once an athlete has turned 15 and attained the Bronze Medallion Award they can compete as an Open competitor with many more events available to them including ski and surfboat competition. Competitions are held at Club, Branch, State, National and International levels.
Whilst competition isn’t compulsory, it is encouraged and forms an integral part of Surf Life Saving. Competition is based on individual and team events. It includes a broad range of events and disciplines such as surf swimming, board paddling, surf ski, beach flags, beach sprint, Ironman and surf boat rowing.
It’s not just the athletes who have the opportunity to participate and develop skills. Coaches, officials, managers and administrators are all vital to the successful functioning of carnivals.
Surf Sports are there for our lifesavers to have fun, develop better surf skills, keep active and provide great social networks within the sport
using WordPress and