Can I compete at club and non-championship carnivals before I have my award?

For non-championship competition, Under 15 to Masters members normally need to be a current financial SLSA member, hold the award for their age category (Surf Rescue Certificate for Under 15, Bronze Medallion for Under 17 and older) and be proficient in it, be eligible for the age category, have met the patrol and/or service commitments their club requires, and not be in default of service, financial or discipline obligations.

New members without an award can compete in SLSA non-championship competition for a maximum of 120 days from the date of joining SLSA, with these conditions:

• they are a current financial member
• they have completed the basic assessment for the appropriate award (for example the relevant pool swim and run-swim-run)
• they have received instruction from a current accredited SLSA Coach on any craft used and the event procedure
• they are supervised in the competition by a current accredited SLSA coach
• the club or organiser provides water safety for them under the Water Safety Policy
• they are not allowed to compete if surf conditions require a change to the competition or fewer starters for safety reasons

The 120-day allowance does not cover IRB events or surf boat events as a sweep.