Surf Life Saving

Surf Life Saving is multi-disciplined sport which originated from Australia. All events are based on the skills required by lifesavers and lifeguards and the equipment used by them in carrying out their duty, but it provides one of the most exciting, colourful and eco-friendly of all sporting activities that you could wish to see.

Surf sports involves surf swimming, board paddling, surf ski racing, beach sprinting, and surf boat rowing, as well as the ultimate race – the OceanMan, which is swim, board and ski in one race. There are also team and pair events, such as double ski (two man racing skis), board rescue (one man swims, the next man paddles out to him, both paddle back together and it’s first pair over the line!) and Taplin (one swimmer, one board paddler, one ski paddler, one runner). 

The SLSGB National Surf Lifesaving Championships is set to be much bigger this year by becoming the Life of the Beach Festival. It will include volleyball and tag-rugby, as well as a beer tent, for all those clubbies less keen on getting competitive in the surf. Members of the public and businesses can enter teams, too.  

For more information on surf life saving sport, training to become a beach lifeguard, or to find a club near you, visit www.surflifesaving.org.uk.