Surf Sports

Sorrento has a rich history in beach events and a thriving beach squad. The ‘Beachies’ are led by experienced Beach Captain John Hackett along with coaches Jackson Symonds, Aaron Bell, Sydney Rafferty and Tai Kirkpatrick.

Sprint

Competitors race on a straight sand course of 90 metres (70m for juniors) to the finishing line.

Relay

Teams of 4 competitors race on a straight sand course of 90 metres (70m for juniors) with a baton, running one lap each. The final runner of a team over the finish line wins.

Beach Run

Competitors race on a sand course for 1km or 2km races.

Beach Flags

Competitors start lying on their stomach facing away from a baton/s buried in the sand 15 – 20 metres away. There are always fewer batons than competitors. On the starting gun, competitors rise, turn and race to secure a baton. The competitor(s) who fail to obtain a baton are eliminated. The process repeats until there is a single winner.

For information about beach training email beachcaptain@sorrentoslsc.org.au

Board

A racing mal is a type of paddleboard that is propelled using the arms while lying flat or kneeling. Boards are normally ten feet and six inches in length. The volume varies depending on the weight of the rider, generally within a 10 kg range. For example, a particular board might be suitable for a 75-85 kg rider. An incorrectly sized board may provide insufficient flotation, or be harder to control.

A racing mal includes four straps that the rider uses to control the board while catching waves, and while ‘popping’ or ‘rolling’ when paddling out. An optional fifth strap, known as a ‘running strap’ or ‘popping strap’ may be positioned on the left or right side (the opposite side to the rider’s dominant hand). This strap is used for grabbing the board when exiting the water, so as to quickly sprint up the beach during a race. It can also be used to regain control of the board after popping over a wave.

Any racing mal that is used to compete in Surf Life Saving events must adhere to SLSA design specifications. For example, the guidelines state that any new board manufactured after 1st December 2012 must have the first 10 cm of the nose and tail, on the top and bottom of the board, painted in a high-visibility colour.

In the competition season Sorrento has 3- 4 board training sessions taking place throughout the week for varying levels of skill and experience. For information about Board Training contact Michael Booth on 0432 566 649

Ski

The spec ski is the traditional craft used by surf lifesaving clubs and must adhere to strict size and weight. The Spec ski is designed tougher and with more rocker to manoeuvre in and out of the wave zone. The ocean ski is made for long-distance ocean paddling and is usually raced downwind with the swells.

In the competition season Sorrento has up to 6 ski training sessions taking place throughout the week for varying levels of skill and experience.

For information about Ski Training contact Michael Booth on 0432 566 649

For information about ski equipment usage contact Ski Captain, Richard Elderfield by emailing skicaptain@sorrentoslsc.org.au

Surfboat Rowing

Surfboat competition is known to have begun in NSW in the early 1900’s. Initially, the surf boat craft was developed as a rescue vehicle, however today, Surfboats are more commonly associated with inter-club competitions and the most spectacular footage of all Surf Life Saving competition, particularly when the swells are large.

The rowing discipline commands a high level of fitness, commitment and skill. If you are interested in giving this discipline a go, we take on rowers from as young as 14 years of age right through to Masters. Once you feel comfortable on the water you will need your Bronze Medallion to start Competing in this historical sport. 

Competitions can range right through the year, but competitions typically commence during October and run through until March. During this period, competitions take place at a local, state and national level, culminating at the National Titles in late March/Early April.

We have developed a Youth Program which consists of Ergo Sessions and Water Sessions. Allowing our Club to compete in the Under 19 and Under 23 categories before entering the Open Events. 

If you would like to find out more about Surf boats at Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club please call Rebecca Ferrier on 0421 789 618.

Swimming is fundamental to Surf Life Saving and competition events include the Surf Race, Surf Teams, Surf Belt, Rescue Tube Rescue and Ironperson which combines the disciplines of swim, board and ski (U19 and above)

Sorrento has a fantastic and growing iron squad led by Head Coach Michael Booth For more information about Iron training contact Michael Booth on 0432 566 649

Junior, developing and adult fitness swimmers (H2O Fitness Academy)

The club offers training with accredited coaches (H2O Fitness Academy) to provide swimming training as an additional service to its members and a greatly reduced cost (in comparison to similar programs). It aims to enable members to improve their swimming skills, stay fit and support lifesaving and competition requirements.
3 sessions per week are on offer- Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday Afternoons. Venues include Craigie Leisure Centre and Carine SHS.

Participating members are asked to contribute to the costs of running this service by paying Coaching fees as required.

Swimmers will be required to complete an application form and medical declaration prior to attendance.

To register contact Andrew Ridley on 0408 298 725

Competitive, youth and senior swimmers

The Sorrento SLSC also has a relationship with the Swimming WA Swim Fit Program at Craigie Leisure Centre for age group and competitive swimmers. Most of the club’s water athletes and swimmers swim with this program. Sessions are conducted at Craigie Leisure Centre weekday mornings and one afternoons per week.

Separate guidelines apply for this program, for more information contact admin@sorrentoslsc.org.au

Rescue & Resuscitation

Sorrento SLSC has a strong track record in Rescue and Resuscitation and the current squad are led by co-captains Sophie Dekenah and Bridget Marchin Vincent

R&R is a competition based on the simulated rescue and resuscitation of a patient from the surf using the traditional belt and reel. It combines swimming, resuscitation skills, marching and drill with teams judged against set criteria.

There are three different forms of the event –

• 2 person (mixed sexes U10 – U13 )
• 5 person (mixed for ages U12 –U14, U15, U17, U19 & Open Mixed), Open Women & Open Men
• 6 person (Open Mixed).

Competitors are required to perform different roles depending on their position within the team. Participation in the event requires swimmers to have moderate to strong swimming ability while non-swimmers need to have moderate fitness levels. Competitors in the 2 person and 5 person events (U12 – U15s) are not required to swim.

For more information about R & R training join the Facebook group or email competition@sorrentoslsc.org.au.

Pool Rescue

Pool lifesaving events combine the skills of stillwater swimming with lifesaving techniques.

There are numerous pool lifesaving events, which can be broken down into four main skills: swimming, swimming with fins, swimming under obstacles, carrying and towing a manikin. Manikin carrying is done both with and without fins.

As these core skills make up most of the events of pool lifesaving this manual will concentrate on them. This section will also provide a brief overview of some of the other skills that are required for certain events. These include: starts, relay changes, picking up the manikin, and putting the tube on the manikin.

An example of some of these skills combined into a pool lifesaving event is the 200m with obstacles.

This event consists of starting the event, swimming under obstacles, and swimming between the obstacles at maximal speed. Sorrento Pool Rescue athletes attend specialist training with West Lifesaving.

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.

For more information about March Past training contact competition@sorrentoslsc.org.au.

Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) racing is an exciting sport that gives surf lifesavers the chance to put their rescue skills to the test.

The purpose of the Inflatable Rescue Boat competition is to:

Improve the skills and technique of IRB drivers and crew
Allow crews to demonstrate their techniques and abilities to perform rescues
Bring crews together to discuss and improve IRB techniques and operations
Promote safety awareness techniques for the crew and patients in simulated rescue scenarios

IRB crews consist of a driver and a crewperson. The objective of the IRB race is to rescue a ‘patient’ or ‘patients’ from the water in the quickest time.

IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) competition aims to improve the skills and technique of IRB drivers and crew as well as allow crews to demonstrate their techniques and abilities to perform rescues.

There are five events in IRB competition.

IRB Rescue:

Teams are comprised of one patient, one driver, and one crew member. The patient is in the water at a designated buoy, the driver and crew member are at the starting line at the on the beach. On the starter’s signal, competitors launch the IRB, proceed through the surf to pick up the patient, round the buoy, and return to shore.

IRB Team Rescue:

Teams are comprised of one patient and two crews (one driver and one crew member per crew). On the starter’s signal, the first crew launches the IRB and proceeds through the surf to the patient. As the IRB rounds the buoy, the first crew member jumps overboard. The driver completes the buoy turn and returns to shore alone.

The second crew member moves into the water, and takes control of the IRB. The first driver runs up the beach and tags the second driver. The second crew re-launches the IRB, proceeds through the surf to pick up the patient and the first crew member, rounds their buoy, and returns to shore to finish the event.

Mass Rescue:

Teams are comprised of one driver, one crew member and two patients. Both patients start the event in the water. The crew proceed through the surf, pick up their first patient and return to shore. The driver and the patient must exit the IRB where the patient retires to the beach. The driver proceeds to the start/finish line, rounds a marker and returns to the IRB. The IRB is re-launched and the crew rescues the second patient, returns to the beach and across the finish line.

IRB Rescue – Tube Rescue:

Teams are comprised of one patient, one driver, and one crew member. On the starter’s signal, competitors launch the IRB, proceed through the surf and turn around their respective turning buoy. The crew member then enters the water and swims past the turning buoy to their patients. The crew member secures the rescue tube around the arms of the patient and tows the patient back to the IRB. Once the crew member and patient are safely aboard, the driver navigates the IRB around the team’s turning buoy and returns to shore to finish.

IRB Relay:

This event is a continuous relay involving the four events in the following order: Rescue Tube, Mass Rescue, Teams Rescue and Rescue. Each leg is per the description above except for changeovers between legs.

For more information about IRB training: email competition@sorrentoslsc.org.au.