SPORT: Disciplines

Aquatic sport is a core part of surf lifesaving, developing fitness, surf skills and teamwork. Members aged 13+ with a Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) or Bronze Medallion are eligible to compete in Youth and Senior carnivals. Our lifesavers engage in regular competition all year round to maintain their skills and fitness. These competitions include Beach, Swimming Pool & Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) competitions. Every member is able to compete to whatever level they desire.

Competition is held year-round across two seasons:

Both seasons lead to Victorian Championships and Australian Championships, with carnivals held across the state.

Water & Multi-Discipline Events

Aquatic sport is made up of four core disciplines, with events designed to reflect the skills used in real lifesaving rescues.

Board Paddling

A foundation lifesaving skill and exciting competition event. Athletes navigate the surf on a racing mal, developing balance, speed, and wave technique. There are individual and relay races.

Surf Ski Paddling

Ski paddling tests strength, surf awareness and endurance. Events include long-distance ocean races, single and double ski events, and form a key leg of the Iron races. There are individual and relay races.

Surf Swimming

Swimming ability is an essential lifesaving skill. Belt, Rescue Tube Rescue and Rescue Tube races are 'simulated' rescues. Surf, Run-Swim-Run and Wading races are more direct tests of physical ability in and around the surf environment. SLSA swimming events have been designed to encourage members to keep fit for lifesaving duties. Types of swimming races are Surf Race (Individual), Surf Teams (4 members per team), Belt Race (5 members per team). Rescue Tube Rescue Race (4 members per team), Rescue Tube Race (Individual).

Multi-Discipline Events

Beach Events

Surf sports also extend to the sand with types of beach events including Beach Sprint (Individual), Beach Relay (4 members), Beach Flags (shall always be less batons set down than the number of competitors starting or remaining in the event), 2km Beach Run and 2km Beach Run Relay.

Surf Boat Rowing

Surf boat rowing is one of the most thrilling team sports in lifesaving, combining surf skill, strength and teamwork. Crews consist of four rowers and a sweep.

Surf boat rowing builds lifelong friendships and a strong team culture. 

Champion Lifesaver

The Champion Lifesaver event provides individual members the opportunity to demonstrate in a competitive manner the physical, lifesaving and knowledge skills required of a Lifesaver.

Champion Patrol

The aim of the Champion Patrol event is to demonstrate how lifesavers work as a team in performing some or all of the skills associated with surf rescue patrol work. Team members in the Champion Patrol event must be members of the same club but not necessarily be from the same club patrol.

First Aid

The First Aid competition is a team event designed to promote and to demonstrate a high standard of First Aid prowess by members.

Pool Rescue Events

Pool Rescue Competitions provide a further avenue, outside of the ocean environment, for activity participants to develop and to demonstrate their lifesaving and or organisational skills.

Interested in Aquatic Sport?

Whether you're chasing competition, fitness or fun, there’s a surf sport pathway for you.

Contact the Sports Team at Jan Juc SLSC to get involved or join our training squads and carnival teams.