March Past involves a team of 12 members who are required to carry a surf reel and march in time and complete various components to the satisfaction of the judges

The March Past is an iconic event within the surf lifesaving movement. It has been part of surf carnivals since the earliest days and originally consisted of teams of 20. The March Past is an example of the significant impact returned servicemen had on the development of surf lifesaving and competition in the early days.

In past years, clubs were not able to compete at carnivals unless they fielded a March Past team or someone marching with the club standard. As the teams were comprised of competitors from other areas, carnivals used to stop while the March Past event was in progress. Old footage of the lifesaving movement will often feature march past teams in action.

While the event remains popular, it no longer features as prominently at surf carnivals.