When can events be changed, suspended or cancelled because of surf or weather?
Rule- South Africa
- Lifesaving South Africa
- Surf lifesaving
- LSA Competition Manual 17th ed
- Competition officials
- All ages
- 2022/23
- Officials
- Before water events: no surf or open water event may run until the Chief Referee or Safety Officer has assessed the conditions and reported to the Competition Committee.
- Suspending: if there is a credible basis for concluding there is an unreasonable risk of serious injury, the Chief Referee, consulting the Safety Officer, suspends all or part of the competition. The Safety Officer, Deputy Chief Referee and Sectional Referees can also suspend in their areas and must refer the decision on.
- Cancelling or moving: the Competition Committee (at minimum the Chief Referee and Deputy, the Local Organising Committee chair, Event Manager, Safety Officer and, where applicable, the Director of Sport or delegate) decides whether to postpone, cancel or relocate. Section 4.2.6 also lets the Organising Committee, with the Chief Referee, cancel or reschedule an event or final. A cancellation decision can't be challenged by competitors, team managers or another lifesaving authority.
- Points: if an event is cancelled, even after some heats, no points from it count. If the competition is cancelled before more than 75% of beach and surf events are contested, no Grand Aggregate or Competitor of the Championships award is made.
- Courses may be adjusted at any time for safety, tide, sea and beach changes. Teams must be told of a course change before the event starts.
- Sunset: no ocean water event may start within 1½ hours of sunset.
- Lightning: if thunder follows lightning by less than 30 seconds (about 10 km), stop all water activity, clear the water and move everyone to a solid building, or a car (not the back of a bakkie). Resume about 30 minutes after the storm has passed, and restart the 30-minute clock with each new flash or thunder.
Added 22 Oct 2026