How is a surf boat crew made up, and what does a sweep need?

Question

Accepted Answer

A surf boat crew is five competitors: four rowers and a sweep who steers with the sweep oar. A crew must start each race with all five.

Boat events may be run for Under 19, Under 23, Reserve, Open, Masters, Senior and mixed gender categories, with men's and women's divisions.

Sweep levels:

Unrestricted (S3) sweep: can sweep in all SLSA competition. Needs a proficient Bronze Medallion, at least a current Development Coach Award or equivalent, and to have attended a sweep practical assessment or sat with a panel of sweeps and been deemed competent.
Restricted (S2) sweep: may sweep under the guidance of a sweep mentor in surf rated up to and including 15 on the Surf Risk Rating system, once they have formally started the SLSA online Development Coaching Module and sat with a panel of sweeps.
Pre-competition (S1) sweep: not permitted to take part in any competition.

If the Surf Risk Rating is 16 or above, the Carnival Referee may approve an S3 sweep from the same club (already entered in the carnival and not competing in the same division) replacing an S2 sweep.

A member can compete in U19 to Open surf boat competition on reaching 15 years of age and obtaining the Bronze Medallion. At the Australian Championships, crews cannot "double dip" across divisions, with exceptions for sweeps and for individual rowers who also row with a different crew in an older age category.