2006 SLSNSW Media Guide - Hanson Sport Media

2006 NSW SURF LIFE SAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS – MEDIA GUIDEBoard RidingBoard riding display events are also very popular, and in recent years a malibu (longboard) event has beenadded, with winners judged similar to major surf board riding events.Surf BoatsThe surf boat races are all about power, strength and fitness. There are five divisions for the ‘boaties’ –Open, Female, Reserve Grade, Under-21s and Under-19s.A surf boat crew consists of four rowers and a sweep. The rowers sit on alternate sides of the boat andeach pull one oar with two arms while the sweep stands at the back of the boat and steers. On the row outthe sweep is also the only member who can see the waves approaching as his or her crew heads out tosea – a perilous and thankless job – but on the return the crew has a bird’s eye view of what is looming outthe back!Each crew starts on the waters edge and rows out around their designated turning ‘can’ before proceedingback to the beach through a set of ‘gate cans’. Not only is each crew trying to win the race but they mustensure they stay upright. Capsizing means immediate disqualification and often a heartbreaking end tomonths and months of hard work.Lifesaving EventsThere are events to determine the Champion Lifesaver and Champion Patrol Team.Champion Lifesaver competitors must complete a surf race, tube race, beach sprint, board as well asresuscitation and patient assessment and a theory paper.In the Champion Patrol Team competition, teams are made up of up to six competitors who must completesimilar physical tasks as a team, similar in format to the Champion Lifesaver but teams also have tocomplete an assimilated rescue scenario.There are also First Aid competitions for all age groups where two-man teams have to perform simulatedfirst aid on patients who have had anything from cramps, bluebottle stings to shark attacks.