Board Section
Introduction to Board Events
The board (and ski) events are often referred to as craft events; as such they are contested in the ‘craft area’ at a surf carnival. A surf boat is also considered a surf craft event, however is conducted in a separate arena to board and ski.
There are many variations of board and ski events, including male or female, mixed, single or double and a multitude of relays. These are briefly outlined below. You must be 16 years or older to compete in ski events.
Board Rescue
Divisions include Men’s and Women’s in Open, U19, U17, U15 and also Masters (see Masters).
Each team consists of two members – one swimmer and one board paddler. On the start, the swimmer or ‘patient’ enters the water and swims to a buoy, where a raised hand signal is given for the board paddler to enter the water and rescue the swimmer. Once the swimmer is reached, they climb onto the board, and together both competitors paddle the board back to the beach, aiming to crossing the finish line first.
Board Relay
Divisions include Men’s and Women’s in Open, U19, U17, U15 and also Masters (see Masters).
This event consists of a team of three paddlers completing the board course, conducted over a distance of approx 250M each. Upon returning to the beach the competitors who complete the first and second legs will tag the next person, with the third crossing the finish line to finish the race.
Board Race
Divisions include Men’s and Women’s in Open, U19, U17, U15 and also Masters (see Masters).
This is an individual event whereby a competitor must complete the board course, conducted over a distance of approx 250M.
Board Riding
Cronulla SLSC has a separate Board Riding Section to the rest of the board events. Divisions include Men’s and Women’s in Open, U19, U17 and U15.
The judging objective is to assess the rider’s style, skill and ability to make full use of the wave being ridden, by their performance in wave selection for quality and size and for the longest time at the fastest speed using the widest range of manoeuvres in the most critical section(s) of the wave.
This event sees individual competitors vying for a score out of ten (10), based on their performance while riding a surf board. The length of each round is between 15 – 30 minutes, or until the maximum number of waves has been caught by the competitor, being 12 waves.
All events involve paddling a fiberglass board or ski from the beach, through the break and around a defined course (set by buoys) and back to the waters edge, crossing the finishing line. Up to sixteen competitors or teams may compete in a single heat.