Competitions

Put your skills to the test

Surf Sports competition plays a major role in preparing a surf lifesaver to meet the physical standards necessary for saving lives in the surf. Over the years the competition element of surf lifesaving has evolved from an aid to the physical preparation of a lifesaver to its own identity and plays a major part in the social development of a lifesaver.

Age groups

Throughout the season, nippers from U8 to U13 have the opportunity to participate in inter-club surf sport competitions, outside of the Sunday Woodside Nippers program.

Competition eligibility

Little Nippers and Nippers 

Nippers from U8 to U13 who wish to compete in water events at these inter-club competitions must complete the Competition Skills Evaluation.

Competition Skills Evaluations are used to ensure they meet the minimum requirements for their competitive age group. These evaluations are to be completed by your club at an open water venue and reflect the distance swum at a SLSWA event (see table below).

Youth, Open and Masters 

To be eligible to compete from the Under 15 age group up to and including Masters competitors must: 

• Be a registered and current financial member.  
• Be the holder of the appropriate award relevant to the age category. 
• Be proficient as prescribed for the relevant Award required for competition.  
• Be eligible under the applicable age category.  
• Have met any other competition eligibility qualification requirements for specific events e.g. IRB, Surf Boat (sweep), Patrol Competition, First Aid.  
• Have met their patrol and or service commitments 
  • 16 hours patrol service per annum; OR 
  • A minimum of 8 patrol hours and minimum 8 hours of service for other activity as endorsed by the club 

Note: Members comprising Under 14 and below are not required to perform patrol hours to compete in competitions. However, if they wish to compete in Under 15 competition they must fulfill their patrol hour and/or service obligations as above.

• To be eligible for State Qualifiers and States Championships at the end of the season, the above requirements must be met.    
• To make it to the State Championship competition, competitors must make qualification cuts at the qualifiers carnival for individual events.   
• Team events are formed at the AGM and coaches discretion after our Club Championship results are in.

Competition dates

Find Carnival information, dates, timetables and registration details online at https://www.mybeach.com.au/events/category/surf-sports/ .

Please also see the club calendar for dates.

Families will also be reminded and notified at Nippers or training sessions, and other forms of online communications.

Carnival registration

All carnival registrations are completed via SurfTec – https://entries.surftec.com.au/

Step One:
Follow the link to sign up to relevant carnivals and complete prompts.  
Note: You do not need to enter in every event.  
Note: No late entries will be accepted by SLSWA.

Step 2:
Once your entry is submitted you will be sent a receipt. Forward a copy of this along with the events you or your child wish to participate in to surfsports@cbslsc.com.au. Confirmation can then be checked and team entries can be submitted.

Step 3:
For team events please nominate your interest. The surf sports team will then assess and create teams.  
Note 1: As teams need set numbers, allocation to a team may not be possible. The surf sport team will try their best to allocate and ensure everyone can participate.  
Note 2: If you commit to a team event, please ensure you are able to commit. It can be disappointing for team mates if a competitor needs to pull out last minute and then the whole team misses out.

Step Four:
Check communications from club to ensure you are confirmed in your events.

Preparing for a SLSWA carnival

Step One:
Ensure you have registered and emailed surfsports@cbslsc.com.au for confirmation as above.

Step 2:
Attend club trainings as well as Nipper sessions.

Step 3:
Ensure you have a red SLSWA competition band.  Your first one can be collected at our office upon registration.   Any lost of bands that need replacing incur a charge.  This band will be your competition number for all carnivals. Take care of it. Try to get a band that fits snuggly so it’s not slipping around in the surf.

Step Four:
If you are competing in board events and do not own a board, you will need to collect one during the week prior and sign out a board. This process in details in listed further down. 

What to expect on carnival day

What you need to bring

• Board – if required (see above)  
• Club Competition Cap – Purchased from the club merchandise shop. This is the Coogee coloured (orange, blue and white)  not your coloured woodside nipper cap. 
• Hi-vis Vest – this must be the Yellow Hi-vis vest provided by Woodside nipper program or Seniors purchased from the club. Must be the correct vest with no extra sponsor or advertising 
• Sunsmart gear- Long sleeve shirt and hat for marshalling and sunscreen. 
• Goggles and towel 
• Lots of Water  
• Quick and easy snacks 
• Smiles, have a go attitude and great sportsmanship. 
• A parent willing to volunteer is also a bonus!

We are always in need of more volunteers for set up, marshalling or assisting, so please make contact if you are able to assist.

On the day

• Check club communication for timetable and meeting times. 
• Arrive prepared and early. Be prepared for difficult parking. 
• Meet AGMs and coaches at the CBSLSC tent.  
• Coaches will take a club warm up. 
• Begin preparing for carnival by splitting into age group arenas and competition starts.

Important information

• If red bands are in use, competitors must have their band on them. If they are not in use, then children will have numbers marked on them. This is best done before sunscreen! 
• Parents and spectators need to remain behind the roped areas. If you need your child or a message, please get the AGM/coaches attention and they will get them for you. 
• After the event your child will be lined up and numbers recorded.  Even if they didn’t place, they will need to be in the line as this is also a confirmation all competitors return from the water.  Please wait to congratulate your competitor behind the rope, they will be released and head to you! 
• If there are any queries or disputes please calmly raise with AGMs/coaches, not directly through officials.  Officials will only liase with AGM’s/coaches and refuse to engage in unofficial video footage. Officials final call is the result.

Equipment

While boards are available for use, we do encourage our Woodside Nippers to purchase their own personal board which can be used during Sunday sessions, training, competition and whenever you visit the beach.

How to sign out/in boards

If you are required to use at board at a competition, you will be required to sign out and collect a board from the equipment shed for use.

Please follow the guide below on the days to sign out/in a board. This ensures there is enough boards available for all competitors and nippers/youth on Sundays.

Step One:
Find the right board for the age group. Refer to the ‘Junior Surf Sport Board Guide’ below for U6/7 to U14. Full length fiberglass boards are to be used for all competitors U14 to masters.  Check with coaches if you need assistance. 

Step 2:
Use the QR code posted around the club. Find the asset number on the board and record this in the form. 

Step 3:
Return the board directly after the carnival by using the QR code to scan it back in. If there is any damage, please report this so it can get fixed.

If boards are not returned, a financial penalty will be incurred.  

Carnival requirements

Officials

Officials play an important part in interclub competitions and the club is required to fulfil several official rules at various carnivals. 
Where the club is unable to provide adequate numbers of officials, the club may be asked by SLSWA to limit competition numbers accordingly.
Parents can prevent this by undertaking the Officials course which is completed online with on-the-job practical training provided at carnivals – No prior surf sports knowledge is required to fulfil this role.  

• All beginner officials will be buddied with experienced officials to assist with providing guidance and support.  
• Being an official is a great way to be up close to the action with many officials being able to choose the arenas they assist with.

If you are interested in becoming an official, please email surfsports@cbslsc.com.au

Water Safety

CBSLSC may be called upon to provide water safety, depending on the number of competitors. Without volunteers to fill these roles it may result in competitors not being able to attend compete.  
For all of these roles, you will be only allocated a 2 hour timeslot. When these requirements appear, please ensure you put your hand up to assist.