Surf Sports

Please note: We are currently in the off-season and will publish the key dates and activities for the 2023/2024 season later this year. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

Surf Sports has a long and proud history within Surf Life Saving. The Surf Sports aspect of Surf Life Saving plays a significant role in ensuring that our members have the ability and passion to meet the changing environment within which we deliver our essential lifesaving service.

Surf Sports competitions are conducted by Surf Life Saving Australia, and events that may be held (depending on carnival organisers) are:

  • Surf Race/Ocean Swim
  • Board and Ski races
  • Sprint/Flags/Soft Sand or Beach Runs
  • First Aid Competition
  • Surf boat rowing
  • Beach (volleyball, soccer, cricket, ultimate frisbee, etc)

See the SLS NSW website for the calendar of events.

Please email Margaret for further information.

Cadets
 

The Long Reef SLSC Cadet Program offers a range of activities for the U14 to U17 age groups, catering for those who enjoy socialising with others through surf life saving, competing in a team environment, achieving surf life saving awards, working on community projects or any one of these areas.

Specifically, the Cadet Program objectives are to provide cadet members opportunities to:

– Gain appropriate surf life saving skills,

– Move easily through different opportunities within SLSA,

– Be motivated and have fun while developing skills,

– Be inspired to stay involved in SLSA over the longer term,

– Develop as an athlete and surf sport competitor, representing Long Reef SLSC at SLS carnivals

The Cadet Program includes activities that focus on life saving (including water safety and patrol participation); leadership development (including development camps, Nipper support and committee representation); competition training; and the all important social evenings and time to enjoy the beach with friends.

The program is coordinated by Stuart Munday who is also assisted by several other parents. Anybody wishing to join the Long Reef cadets should contact Stuart on [email protected].

 

 

Rowing
 

A surf boat crew consists of five competitors, four being ‘rowers’ and one being a ‘sweep’, who controls the boat by use of a sweep oar and commands to the rowers. Boat crews start at the water’s edge holding their boats ready. On the starting signal, crews row around their assigned turning buoy situated approximately 400metres off shore and return to the beach. The winner is the first crew to pass their boat between the finish flags on the beach.

Photos are regularly uploaded onto the Long Reef SLSC facebook.

Rowing Information for Young Rowers
Surf boat racing is a challenging and physically demanding team sport within Surf Lifesaving. It is also

rewarding, exciting, exhilarating, and builds lifelong friendships and bonds with your crew mates.

There are many matters you, and your family, should be made aware of before committing.

 

Essential Requirements:

1. To row and train in a surf boat you need to have your Bronze Medallion.

2. For Insurance purposes you need to be a current Financial Member of a Surf Life Saving

Club.

3. To compete in a surfboat Carnival you must be 16 years old minimum, and be Bronze

Medallion Proficient before the 31st December.

4. To compete at Championship events i.e. Branch, States, Aussies and Worlds, you must have

achieved 25 hours minimum patrol hours in the proceeding Calender year.

 

 

Safety

  • Helmets are available and sometimes mandatory,
  • Fluorescent vests are mandatory when racing.
  • Alternate venues are used when the surf is too big
  • Safety is extremely important and sweeps, trainers, officials and carnival organisers do a much as possible to avoid injury.

 

Grades of rowers

  • Under 19’s (mixed). For those turning 19 after the 30th September.
  • Under 23 men. For guys only, turning 23 after the 30th September.
  • Under 23 women. For gals only, turning 23 after the 30th September.
  • Open Women. For women only crew turning 23 after the 30th September.
  • Open Men. For men who take rowing very seriously and train hard.
  • Reserves (mixed). For those not in any other category.
  • Masters All rowers are minimum age of 30years.

 

  1. Surfboat Rowing is a Team Sport. The fastest, safest, and therefore best crews, are those that work together to be fit, strong, and time every part of the stroke together. When things go wrong they work together to correct it. If one member is not working for the same goal than the boat stops! This can become a potentially dangerous situation. So it is important to have crew of people you get along with, trust, and have the same common goals. NB: A champion team will always beat a team of Champions.
  2. Training is essential, and training with your crew is mandatory. Rowing surf boats is not like sitting in an IRB and opening up a throttle. It’s physical, and requires strength, style, timing, and an understanding of waves and conditions. Spending time in the Boat and in the Gym will help you develop these, and reduce the risk of injury. Young rowers and their bodies should be gradually eased into boats using the gym and boat work 2 to 6 times a week, bearing in mind the season, school work, and other demanding activities. Training is NOT to interfere with school requirements and is negotiated at the outset
  3. A competent Sweep and good technique coach and ability to listen and follow.
  4. Food and rest: Boat rowing is physically demanding and the body needs good and ample nutrition, fluids, and adequate rest periods to cope.
IRB Racing
Long Reef IRB’s (Inflatable Rescue Boat) are a vital part of lifesaving, in keeping our waters safe all year round. Not only are our Ducks on patrol at Longy every weekend but they also help out with water safety in local carnivals and events supporting other clubs.

The duck comes into its own in bigger surf where time is critical and other methods can become unsafe and time consuming.  They are also equipped and used in search and rescue and vessel recovery rescues.

IRB racing takes place in the off season (winter) due to the busy summers and the need for the IRBs to be on the beach. Racing is effectively a rescue simulation, testing the crews skills in negotiating the break and through the surf, manoeuvring the craft and adapting to various beach conditions. As the IRB is the most commonly used piece of rescue equipment, the skills learnt during racing feeds directly back to the skills required during patrol.

IRB racing consists of 4 events in Male and Female competition. These are:

 

The Surf Rescue:

Starting on the beach, a driver and crew race to a turning buoy, complete a 360 degree turn, collect a patient at a second buoy and race back to the beach where the driver exits and sprints up the beach.

 

The Mass Rescue:

Completed in the same fashion.  However, when the driver exits, they run around a beach marker while the crewman turns the boat around. They then proceed to collect a second patient.

 

Tube Rescue:

The same principle as above is adopted. However, upon rounding the first buoy, the crewman exits with a rescue tube and swims 25 meters to collect a patient. They return to the boat and climb in. The driver then rounds the buoy a second time and returns to shore.

 

Team Rescue:

This is similar to a Mass Rescue, however after the first patient is rescued, the driver and crew tag in a relay fashion and a second patient is then rescued.

 

Getting involved

 

The minimum requirements to race are to have a:

  • Bronze Medallion
  • IRB crew certificate and
  • The need for speed and fun!!

Anyone interested please contact Jack Hatfield on 0432 873 728 or [email protected]