Portsea has a long, proud history in surf sports. Whether you’re a Nipper-aged junior just getting started or a Masters athlete who’s been doing this for decades, there’s a team here for you, on the sand, in a boat, or behind the wheel of an IRB.
EVENT TYPES
SUMMER COMPETITION
Summer competition covers everything except IRB. Events include:
- Beach Flags – A knockout event dating back to the earliest days of lifesaving. Competitors race for flags (lengths of hosepipe), with the loser eliminated each round, until two remain for the final run-off.
- Beach Sprint – A straight sprint over 75-100m, depending on how much beach is available.
- Beach Relay – A four-person team event using a rubber baton. Members 1 and 3 start at one end, 2 and 4 at the other, exchanging within set boundaries without dropping the baton.
- Ironman/Ironwoman – The blue-ribbon event in lifesaving, with its own competition series. Four legs: swim, malibu board, ski, and run. Not for the faint-hearted.
- U15 & U17 Ironman/Ironwoman – A slightly shorter version, board and swim only, no ski leg.
- Surf Ski (single and double) – Tests balance, coordination, power, and endurance through the surf and around a set course. Double ski adds the challenge of staying in sync with a teammate.
- Board Race – Paddling a malibu board through the break, around a course of buoys, then riding the waves back to shore. First across the line wins.
- Board Relay – A three-person team sharing one board, each member completing the same out-and-back course before tagging the next.
- Surf Race – A swim around a course of ocean buoys. Getting through the shore break is the hard part.
- Taplin Relay – A six-person team event (two swimmers, two board paddlers, two ski paddlers) run as a continuous relay. Long, but a great team event.
- Surf Boats – Five-person crews (four rowers, one sweep steering) race out around a buoy and back to shore, or until the boat runs aground.
- Surf Belt Race – A traditional event using surf reels no longer used for actual rescues. Four linesmen manage the swimmer’s line as they swim out to a buoy and back.
- Rescue & Resuscitation – A demonstration of traditional rescue and resuscitation technique. Lowest number of mistakes wins.
WINTER COMPETITION
Winter competition is IRB only, with Open Male and Open Female divisions in each discipline.
- Rescue Tube – Driver and crew approach a buoy, the crew swims to a patient with a rescue tube, secures them, and tows them back to the IRB for the run to shore.
- Surf Rescue – The simplest discipline: collect one patient, return to shore as fast as possible.
- Teams – Driver and crew collect one patient and return to shore, then a second driver and crew head out for a second patient while the IRB is turned around.
- Mass Rescue – Similar to Teams, but the same driver restarts and heads back out for the second patient rather than swapping crews.
Open to anyone enrolled in our Nippers program, the Junior Squad is a separately run program focused on improving lifesaving skills, fitness, and confidence, for every skill level. Expect running, beach relays, beach flags, swimming, boards, wading, and team relays, all social, all inclusive, with water safety at every session.
Training: Straight after Nippers sessions in summer, with extra sessions at Portsea or Elwood once school resumes. The squad targets two local carnivals plus the Victorian State Titles each March.
What you’ll need: Portsea bathers, a board, hi-vis vest or rashie, Nipper cap, goggles, towel, sunscreen, and a drink bottle.
Registration: $100 total ($50 registration, $50 board levy). Request access to the “Portsea Junior Comp Team” group on Stack Team App, wait for approval, then complete payment in the group’s Store. You’ll be allocated a board and added to all training and event communications, make sure notifications are on.
Parent involvement: The squad runs on parent volunteers, helping as age managers, officials, water safety, equipment, admin, communications, and team management. Carnivals also need Technical Officials and water safety volunteers (current Bronze) so every junior athlete can compete. No experience needed for Technical Officials training ($50, includes LSV merch), or consider our Part-Time Bronze course, run each November and well suited to parents.
Get involved: Rob Wills, 0432 677 318, rob.wills@portseasurf.com.au
Open to active members 13 and older. Seniors train for carnivals, build fitness and lifesaving skill, and form friendships that last well beyond the competition season. We field land, craft, and surfboat teams at every level, including State and National.
Uniform: Club competition cap and club bathers are compulsory. Sponsorship-linked team uniforms may apply, with Competition Director approval.
Costs: The club covers all senior competitors’ carnival entry fees, since senior competitors are also patrolling members who give back through events like the Swim Classic, Pier to Perignon, and Club Champs.
Training: Open to everyone, not just the highly experienced, it’s the best way to meet other competitors and build confidence on craft you’re less familiar with. Summer training includes the “Point to Point” swim, meeting at the Portsea pier at 7:50am every Thursday through January and February, followed by coffee and breakfast locally. Bring bathers, a towel, warm clothes, and coffee money.
Equipment: Boards and skis are available to competitors. Apply through the Competition Director (phone, then email confirmation), sign a written agreement, and pay a $200 security deposit by cheque. See the Competition Craft Agreement document for details.
Eligibility:
- Have requalified your Bronze Medallion or Surf Rescue Certificate for the current season
- Complete 16 patrol hours for the calendar year (4 hours if you’re a new member)
- Pay club membership and championship entry fees
- Have Portsea bathers and cap
To compete for Victorian and Australian Titles, your 16 patrol hours must fall between 1 January and 31 December, signed in the patrol book in the Radio Room (sign on and off each time).
Ages are set as of 30 September. In individual events, you can compete in your age group and Open. In team events, you can compete across multiple age groups in the same carnival. U15s can only compete in their own age group, with one exception: if you turned 15 during the season and qualified for Bronze after your birthday, having been U15 on 30 September.
If a carnival clashes with your rostered patrol, you must either patrol and miss the carnival, or arrange (and confirm) a substitute patroller. You’re responsible for meeting your patrol obligations, and Australian Titles subsidies may be withdrawn if you don’t.
Registering for a carnival: Tell the Team Manager you intend to compete by 5pm the Tuesday before the carnival. If you miss this and still want to compete, contact the Team Manager immediately, you may face a late entry fee of double the normal rate, payable before you can compete. No payment, no competing.
On carnival day: Full carnivals start at 8:30am, with beach and water events from 9:30am sharp (check the carnival timetable for exact times). The Club Tent should be up by 9am. Marshal yourself for each event, or get help from the Area Captain, Coaches, or Competition Director.
Subsidies: Transport and accommodation subsidies are available for eligible competitors, see the Australian Subsidies Application document.
For Portsea athletes aged 30 and over. Led by Dwight Harrison, the Masters group is known as much for its camaraderie as its competitiveness, particularly strong in ski and swimming events. Expect regular morning swims and afternoon paddles in the bay throughout the season.
Get involved:
Dwight Harrison (Co Masters Manager): dwight.f.harrison@gmail.com
Jim Unkles (Co Masters Manager): jimmy.unkles@portseasurf.com.au
Charlie Schall (Ski Director): charlieschall01@gmail.com
Portsea has a long history in IRB racing, recently reinvigorated by a new wave of young athletes. Racing runs over winter, fast, high-adrenaline, and a great way to sharpen your crew and driving skills. We’re always looking for new members, whether you want to drive, crew, or play patient, no prior IRB experience needed. Competitors under 18 need a parent nominated before the season starts.
Get involved:
Sas McNamara: sas.mcnamara@portseasurf.com.au
Andrew May: andrew.may@portseasurf.com.au
Portsea has made its return to surfboat competition, now running an Open Men’s crew, an Under 23 Men’s crew, and two women’s crews.
Get involved:
Stephen Blewett: 0408 539 509 or stephenblewett@hotmail.com
Nick Tissot: 0405 955 255