Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club

All Members are invited to attend the Cronulla SLSC season launch and social gathering at the conclusion of events of the Cronulla Carnival on Saturday 5th November, 2011 in the COJ Monro Memorial Room from 4.00pm.

Come along and enjoy the Club's hospitality and atmosphere with drinks at Club prices and food available.

Keep up to date with what's happening this season, with the introduction of patrol captains and section heads as well as coaches, training programme, selection guidelines.

We will also look at the carnival and social calendar and this year's Club championships.

Hope to see you there,

Kieran Day
Club Captain.

Hi all IRB Drivers and Crew,

Due to an increase in IRB injuries in recent years SLSA has conducted a review of IRB operations. An outcome of this review is the need for all IRB Crew and Drivers to undertake an in-depth Proficiency for this season. This profficiency is to ensure that all drivers and crew are up to date with current driving and crewing techniques and to introduce the new `lock in` crew position.

The local proficiency dates are as follows;

• Sunday 23 October 9am at Elouera
• Sunday 6 November 9am at North Cronulla

Please ensure you can attend one of these days or if you can not please let me know so I can organise an alternative.

Daniel Wood
IRB Captain

Men of steel - boats of wood!

Well, not quite, at least not anymore. Modern surfboat racing is based much more on the science and technique of rowing, and there are nearly as many women as men taking up the sport.

The boat area of a surf carnival is where the action is. Traditionally a rescue craft and superseded by the IRB, a surf boat is now used primarily for competition. Where boats were once made from wood, modern vessels are constructed of fiberglass and equipped with carbon oars. Surf boat crews consist of four rowers and a sweep.

Starting in the shallows (in heats of six) the crews leap into their boats rowing out through the break, urged on and steered by their sweep to the turning buoys some 400M out to sea. Turning the cans they head for home chasing any wave the sea will offer to be first to the line back at the beach.

Surf boat rowing is an adrenaline sport - especially when the surf is pumping – and is not for the faint hearted. Breaking through the surf and cracking the waves to shore are all important parts of winning a race. Physical strength and fitness are desirable attributes, though equally important is the ability to be a part of a team.

Divisions of surfboat racing include Open Men’s and Women’s, Reserves, Colts (U21) and Juniors (U19). There are also several Masters Divisions (see Masters). You must be 16 years or older to row a surf boat.

There are so many events that encompass swimming that it is one of the core competitive sections within any successful surf club. The main events under this discipline (specifically surf swimming) are outlined here. Stillwater swim events are covered under the category of Pool competition (See Pool Lifesaving).

Surf Race

In these races competitors sprint from the starting line on the beach into the surf where they swim around a set of coloured buoys and return to shore. The finish line is located between two flags about 15M up from the beach, meaning competitors need to sprint from the water to the line.

Divisions for the surf race include Open, U19, U17, U15 and also Masters (see Masters). Race distance is 170M for U15 – Open, and 120M for Masters.

Belt Race

This exciting event has teams consisting of one beltman, supported by four linesmen. Using a traditional surf reel, line and belt, the objective is to be the first beltman to reach the swimming buoys at a minimum distance of 120M.

The linesmen ‘pay the line out’ as required by the beltman, being careful not to allow too much rope which will slow the swimmer down with excess weight, or to cut it too short causing the swimmer to be stopped mid-stroke. The belt swimmer wins the race by reaching his can first.

Divisions for the belt race include Open and U19.

Tube Rescue

Teams consist of four members – one patient, one tube swimmer and two rescuers. The race involves the patient either swimming or being dropped out to a buoy, who must be returned to shore using tube rescue techniques.

At the starting gun, the tube swimmer dons a rescue tube and fins, swims out to the patient and attaches the tube before swimming back to shore. Upon the tube being attached to the patient, the two rescuers must also swim out to the buoys and assist the patient back to shore. When reaching the shore, the patient is dragged up to the finish line and the first team to successfully rescue the patient wins.

The Rescue & Resuscitation (R&R) competition provides the opportunity for SLSA members to demonstrate in a competitive manner some Rescue and Resuscitation methods.

The rules and regulations of the R&R event are encompassed within the Rescue & Resuscitation Competition Manual and subsequent bulletins.

The March Past is literally the ‘flagship’ event of any surf carnival and one of the most traditional events that still exists today. It is a largely ceremonial event, strict on team uniformity and scored on absolute military precision.

Each club is encouraged to present a march past team of twelve (12) at major carnivals. The team marches onto the competition arena proudly flying the club standard (flag) and carrying a traditional belt line and reel, maintaining formation and moving in timely march. It is a very proud occasion for any club to witness their team representing the club at a major championship event, and an even prouder feeling to be able to fill part of that team.

Members over the age of thirty (30) years are entitled to compete in specific 'age category' events. Masters carnivals are often held separately or in conjunction with other surf carnivals. Additionally the State and Australian Masters Championships are held prior to their respective Open events every year. Masters events are conducted generally under the same rules and conditions as Open disciplines, the only difference being the age category limitations such as 30-35 years, or for team events, 160 years (combined team minimum age) and so forth.

Cronulla SLSC has a strong tradition and representation in Masters events. Often, many members who still compete in the Open Championships will 'double-dip' in the Masters division as well.

For information on Masters coaching and competition, you should contact the Masters Captain: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it