Sporting events
SURF RACE (The basic skill for all lifeguards is the ability to be a strong swimmer in the sea)

From the start line 20 meters from the water's edge, lifesavers run to the waters edge, and then swim around a set of coloured buoys approximately 120 metres from waist depth water. They return to shore, run the 20 metres to the finish line and finish between the green flags.




RESCUE TUBE RACE (Ideal practise for rescuing the conscious patient)

With a 'patient' placed at the buoys around 120 metres from waist depth water, the rescue tube swimmer will run 20 metres up the beach and pick up the rescue tube and swim fins.

The rescue tubes harness and fins may be put on at any time. The rescuer then swims to the patient, raise one arm, secures the tube around the patient and tows the patient towards the shore. The patient must be carried or dragged across the finish line close to the water's edge, with the rescue tube attached.

RESCUE TUBE RESCUE (Ideal practise for teamwork in rescuing the conscious patient)

The event consists of four persons - a patient, a Rescue Tube swimmer and two rescuers. The rescue tube swimmer swims out behind the buoy line to secure the rescue tube around the patient and then tow the patient back to the beach. On return to the beach, two rescuers must drag or carry the patient past the finish line.




MALIBU BOARD RACE (The best non-powered craft available for lifeguards to return a casualty to shore through the surf)

From the start line about 5 metres from the water's edge, lifesavers shall drag or carry their boards into the surf. The lifesavers then paddle out and around three buoys, 300 - 500 metres from waist deep water and return to shore. To finish, the board must be dragged or carried across the judging line about 5 metres up the beach and the lifesavers and board must continue through to cross the finish line a further 5 metres in order to avoid collisions.

SURF SKI RACE (The fastest non-powered craft available for a lifeguard to reach a casualty)

From an in-water start, with skis floating by their side, lifesavers paddle out and around three buoys 350 - 400 metres from the start. The finish is between 2 flags in shallow water.




BEACH SPRINT (Strengthening the lifeguards athletic ability, enabling vital seconds to be saved in responding to a situation)

Lifesavers sprint 90 - 95 metres in running lanes on sand.


BEACH FLAGS (Honing lifeguards responses and actions to sounds as well as giving them a cutting edge on explosive starts)

Lifesavers lie face down in the sand with their hands under their chins. When a whistle blasts, they jump up, turn around and sprint towards batons (flags) about 20 metres in the sand. There is always one less baton than competitors and the lifesaver that fails to get a baton is eliminated.
IRON MAN & DIAMOND LADY (The ultimate competition testing the lifeguard's skills and fitness)
Individual competitors cover a 1.200 m course that includes a swimming leg, a malibu board leg, a surf ski leg, and a beach sprint finish. Conditions for the racing of each leg are as required for the individual components of that discipline including the rules governing the component disciplines: surf ski races, malibu board races, surf swimming races and beach sprints.

STILL-WATER EVENTS (Improving the lifeguards swimming and rescue towing skills in a controlled environment)


OBSTACLE SWIM
The competitor swims up to 200m in freestyle, during which they swims under immersed obstacles, sometimes called 'gates'.


MANIKIN CARRY (Previously called Manikin Rescue)
The competitor swims 50m freestyle and then dives to recover a submerged manikin. The competitor then 'tows' the manikin to the finish edge of the pool.


MANIKIN CARRY WITH FINS
The competitor swims 50m freestyle wearing fins and then dives to recover a submerged manikin. The competitor then 'tows' the manikin to the finish edge of the pool.


MANIKIN TOW WITH FINS
The competitor swims 50m freestyle with fins and rescue tube. After touching the turning edge, the competitor fixes the rescue tube around a manikin floating on the surface and tows it to the finish edge of the pool.


SUPER LIFESAVER
The competitor swims 75m freestyle and then dives to recover a submerged manikin. The competitor then 'tows' the manikin to the to the turning edge of the pool. After touching the wall the competitor releases the manikin and puts on fins and rescue tube. The competitor then swims 50m freestyle and after touching the wall fixes the rescue tube around a floating manikin and then tows it to touch the finish edge of the pool.


Stillwater Championships National Pool Swansea

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