What do I need to be eligible for an SLSA championship?

To compete in an SLSA Championship, members from Under 15 up to Masters must, by the close of normal entries:

1. be a registered, current financial member of SLSA
2. hold the SLSA award for their age category (or the equivalent overseas ILS member country award)
3. be proficient in that award as at the normal closing date of entries
4. be eligible for the age category
5. have met their patrol and/or service commitments under Competition Eligibility Policy 5.04 and those required by their club, branch, state and SLSA
6. not be in default with their club, branch, state centre or SLSA in service, financial or discipline obligations
7. meet any extra requirements for specific events, such as IRB, surf boat sweep, Champion Patrol or First Aid

The relevant award is the Surf Rescue Certificate for Under 15 and the Bronze Medallion for Under 17, Under 19, Under 21, Under 23, Open, Senior and Masters.

Continuing Under 14 and Under 15 proficient award holders may keep competing with their existing age award and proficiency until 31 December each year. The 2026 Australian Championships circular also states that each competitor must hold the award relevant to their entry and have completed a proficiency test for it.

For the Australian Championships, the entry circular is the source for entry rules. For example, the 2026 Championships had no late entries and entries were made and paid through Liveheats.