Surf Sports
Surf Sports at Emu Park SLSC include board, iron, ski, and swim disciplines, with training led by Coach Ted McLeod. The squad is open to U14 and older, and we always welcome new members. Our aim is to transition nippers into the senior program, building skills and fitness before they join the main squad.
Training Times:
- Boards and Skis: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, 4–5 pm, Fitzroy River – Ski Garden
- Running: Wednesday afternoons, 4–5 pm, Fitzroy River – Ski Garden
- Iron: Sunday mornings, 8–10 am, Emu Park Main Beach
- Swimming: Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings, 5:15–6 am, Southside Memorial Pool
Board
Competitors paddle 3 m long fibreglass/carbon fibre boards with a foam core, starting with a sprint from the beach. Using either prone or knee paddling, they navigate through the surf zone by popping, punching, or rolling under waves before rounding the buoys (450–550 m course) and sprinting to the finish line.
Ski
The fastest surf event, with competitors paddling 6 m surf skis using a twin-bladed paddle and a foot-controlled rudder. The course is typically around 700 m, starting and finishing in the water.
Swim
In a Surf Race, competitors start on the beach, wade and dolphin-dive through the surf, swim around the buoys, and sprint back to shore. Courses are usually 300–400 m, though conditions may change this.
Iron
The toughest event of all.
- U14–U17: A board leg and swim leg, each separated by a soft-sand sprint. The order is drawn at the start of each carnival by officials.
- U19, Opens & Masters: A board leg, swim leg, and ski leg, each separated by a soft-sand sprint. The order is drawn at the start of each carnival by officials.
Team Events
Team races vary by age group and are usually gender-specific. They include:
- Board Relay
- Ski Relay
- Mixed Discipline Relays (e.g., Cameron, Taplin)
- Board Rescue
- Swim Teams
Beach Events
Beach events test speed, agility, and endurance on the sand, with both individual and team races offering plenty of excitement.
Sprint: Competitors race 90 metres (or 70 metres for juniors) to the finish line on a straight sand course.
Relay: Teams of four compete on a 90-metre (or 70-metre for juniors) straight sand course, passing a baton between runners. The winning team is the first to have their final runner cross the finish line.
Beach Run: A test of stamina, with competitors racing over 1 km or 2 km on a sand course.
Beach Flags: Competitors start lying on their stomachs, 15–20 metres from a set of batons placed in the sand. At the start signal, they spring up, turn, and sprint to grab a baton — but there’s always one fewer baton than competitors. Those left without a baton are eliminated, and the rounds continue until one winner remains.
Surf Boats
The Emu Park Surf Boats welcome all new rowers. Our focus is on teamwork, camaraderie, and having fun both as a boat section and as part of the wider club.
How It Works
A surf boat crew has five competitors: four rowers and one sweep who steers and directs the crew. Starting from the water’s edge, crews row out to sea to a turning buoy about 400 m offshore, round it, and race back to the beach. The first boat between the finish flags wins.
Age Groups vary
Pool Rescue
Pool Rescue is a fun and challenging way to test your lifesaving skills, with events designed to simulate real rescue scenarios. Competitors take on a variety of individual and team races, including manikin tows, obstacle swims, and tube rescues carrying patients.
Obstacle Swim: Competitors swim 200 m freestyle, passing under immersed obstacles.
Obstacle Relay: Four team members swim 50 m or 100 m freestyle, each passing under two immersed obstacles.
Line Throw: A timed event where the competitor throws an unweighted line to a teammate and then pulls them 12 m back to the poolside.
Freestyle with Fins: Competitors swim 50 m freestyle with fins after a dive start.
Patient Tow (Juniors): The rescuer dives in, swims 50 m freestyle with fins and a rescue tube, wraps the tube around their patient, and returns to the start.
Rescue Medley: The competitor swims 50 m freestyle while dragging a rescue tube, fastens it around a floating manikin, and tows it 50 m to the finish.
Manikin Carry: The competitor swims 25 or 50 m freestyle, dives to retrieve a submerged manikin, and carries it to the finish line.
Brick Carry (Juniors): The competitor swims 35 m freestyle, dives to retrieve a submerged rubber brick within 5 m of the pick-up line, and carries it to the finish line.
Medley Relay: A four-leg relay: 50 m freestyle without fins, 50 m freestyle with fins, 50 m freestyle towing a rescue tube without fins, and 50 m freestyle with fins while towing a teammate.
Super Lifesaver: The competitor swims 75 m freestyle to recover a submerged manikin and carries it to the pool’s turning edge. After releasing the manikin, they put on fins, swim 50 m towing a rescue tube, wrap the tube around a floating manikin, and tow it to the finish.