The ocean discipline within surf life saving sport includes a variety of events including the use of tubes, boards and skis.

Surf Race

From the start line on the beach competitors run into the surf (sea) and swim around a course marked by buoys, returning to shore to cross the finish line marked by flags on the beach.

Surf Team Race

This is the same event as the surf race, but is completed in teams of 3 with the overall positions of each swimmer being added together to determine the finishing position of the team.

Board Race

At the start signal, competitors enter the water, launch their boards, and paddle the course marked by buoys, returning to the beach to run across the finish line.

Board Relay

Following the same approach as the board race teams of 3 take part running and tagging the next team member until the 3rd completes the course and crosses the finish line.

Ski Race

Competitors enter the water and steady their skis in line in knee-deep water about 1.5 m apart. (Competitors must obey directions from the starter or check starter concerning ski alignment at the start). On the starting signal, competitors paddle their skis around the course marked by buoys and return to finish when any part of the ski (ridden, gripped or carried) crosses the in-water finish line.

Ski Relay

Following the same approach as the ski race the teams consist of 3 members who must complete the course tagging the next team member until the 3rd completes the course and crosses the finish line.

Oceanman/Oceanwoman

Competitors cover a 1400m (approx) course that includes a swim leg, a board leg and a ski leg. Each individual discipline follows its own set rules and governing components (surf races, board races and surf ski races).

Taplin Relay(Oceanman/Oceanwoman Relay)

This relay sees teams of 3 (1 swimmer, 1 board paddler and 1surf ski paddler) cover the course in a sequence of legs determined by a draw at the start of each competition.

Tube Rescue

This is a pairs event with 1 competitor being the ‘victim’ and the other a rescue tube swimmer. To start the victim swims to a designated buoy and then signals to the 2nd team member (tube swimmer) who then rescues them. The event finishes when the first pair crosses the finish line.

Board Rescue

This is a paris event with 1 competitor being the ‘victim’ and the other having a rescue board. To start the victim swims to a designated buoy and then signals the 2nd team member (with rescue board) who then picks them up. They then both paddle to shore and cross the finish line on the beach with the board.

Run – Swim – Run

From the start line, competitors run to pass around the turning flag and enter the water to swim out to and around the buoys. Competitors swim back to the beach to again run around the turning flag before running to the finish line.

Want to know about other surf live saving disciplines? Find out more