Surf Life Saving Australia Surf Sport Manual Update and Rule Clarification A Presentation by Greg Allum Chair, SLSA Technical Committee
SLSA Competition Rules 1. What is going on? 2. What are Rules? 3. The Sources for SLSA Rules. 4. Authority for SLSA Rules. 5. Accountability for Rules. 6. Philosophy of SLSA Rules. 7. How to Influence Change. 8. What is in the New Manual? 9. What is likely to happen next? 10. Discussion, Questions and Answers.
What s Going On? The current Surf Sports Manual is the 33 rd Edition (revised). This Manual was published in August 2010 and: Is a web based (internet) version only. A paper based version will be published following completion of the Safety Review.. No major rule changes are expected but we are now seeing some changes e.g. Safety Officers, head counts, revised safety plans. The old 33 rd Edition together with a Bulletin 01-10/11 may be used on the beach.
What are Rules? Section 2.25(a) of the SLSA Surf Sports Manual states: The rules in this Manual are made in the best interests of surf lifesaving, competition and competitors. The purpose of the rules is to establish and maintain a safe and fair system in which competition can be conducted. This is consistent with dictionary definitions which include: The Regulation; The Law. The Standard; and. The directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted.
The Sources for SLSA Surf Sport Rules There are at least 9 primary sources where rules can be found under which SLSA competition is conducted? These include:
The SLSA Surf Sports Manual The SLSA Surf Sports Manual, 33rd Edition (revised) August 2010 This edition has not yet been printed (due to a Safety Review that is underway) we can touch on this later) but it is accessible on the SLSA website at: www.sls.com.au As required this source document is updated to account for Bulletin updates etc.
Other Major Sources for SLSA Surf Sport Rules Include: SLSA Surf Sport Bulletins.. Competition Entry and Final Carnival Bulletins.. SLSA Rules & Regulations.. State, Branch & Club Policies.. IRB Technical Bulletins and Rules.. R&R Manual. ILS Competition Manual. SLSA Craft and Gear Specifications, etc.
Authority for SLSA Rules The SLSA Technical Committee is responsible for the management of SLSA competition rules for (traditional) events. The Committee is both proactive and reactive in doing this.
Authority for SLSA Rules (C td) The Technical Committee encourages member input. The Committee consults with:. Subject matter experts.. Competitors, coaches and Officials.. States and Branches.. Director of Surf Sports.. Sport Standing Committee.
Authority for SLSA Rules (C td) The current Technical Committee was appointed by the Sport Standing Committee and consists of:. Greg Allum (Chair). Alan Inwood. Rick Wright. Steve Strange
Accountability for Rules The Director of Sport has accountability in respect of rules. This is detailed in the SLSA Regulations which, at Regulation 1.4, includes the following statement:
Accountability for Rules (C td) Through the respective advisors and appropriate staff and members, supervise and monitor lifesaving sport programs, equipment, and activities throughout Australia.
Accountability for Rules (C td) In part the Director of Sports oversees this accountability through the development, review and publication of the SLSA Surf Sports Manual.
Accountability for Rules (C td) The Chair of the SLSA Technical Committee has an informal delegated responsibility from the Director of Sports to provide competition rule interpretations.
Accountability for Rules (C td) The SLSA Director of Sport and/or the Chief Executive Officer of SLSA maintain the right to immediately implement rule changes to ensure safe conduct of SLSA competition.
Philosophy of SLSA Rules SLSA provides competition for its members as a byproduct of its lifesaving responsibilities. Competition must be conducted:
Philosophy of SLSA Rules (C'td) Safely!
Philosophy of SLSA Rules (C td) Fairly!
Philosophy of SLSA Rules (C td) Competition should provide the opportunity for all members to participate irrespective of age and gender.
Philosophy of SLSA Rules (C td) Rules should be easy to understand for all involved in competition officials, coaches, athletes and spectators.
Philosophy of SLSA Rules (C td) Being successful in SLSA competition should be about outcomes and not procedure.
Philosophy of SLSA Rules (C td) Appeals must be conducted independently from the official(s) involved in the original decision.
How To Influence Change The SLSA Surf Sports rules in respect of actual courses design etc. are generally OK. However, as you know safety considerations are currently under close scrutiny and some operational changes may result.
How to Influence Change (C td) SLSA must also always look to continuous improvement and be responsive to suggestions to improve its competition. Input from competitors, coaches, team managers, administrators and informed observers must be encouraged and considered.
How to Influence Change (C td) Officials are ideally placed working with the SLSA rules and should note matters that require clarification, attention and/or review. Talk about matters and make submission to the SLSA Technical Committee with copy to the SLSA Director of Surf Sports and your Branch and State Centres.
How to Influence Change (Undertaking) The Technical Committee will consider all submissions received and a provide a response.
The following are the major changes : Section 1 - Competition Safety. Re-ordering of paragraphs and minor changes to improve clarity especially around safety assessments, and contingency and relocation plans. Please note that this section may be further reviewed before the paper based Manual is published.
Section 2.1 Wording included to allow for specialist officials to be appointed to SLSA events e.g. Board Riding, Swimming Officials: All SLSA competition, carnivals and any other competitions authorised or controlled by SLSA, must be conducted by duly accredited SLSA officials or other persons recognised by SLSA...
Section 2.4.2 Inclusion of an earlier bulletin confirming patrol exemptions for JAG only competition. Section 2.2.4.2 Clarification of a number of issues regarding SLSA requirements for participation in ILS World Championship Competition.
Section 2.3 Re write of the competition season, ages, categories and proviso clauses to improve interpretation and clarity of rules. There have been no changes of note. Section 2.4 A new section added to allow for competitors with disabilities to participate provided that there is no disadvantage to other competitors in the event.
Section 2.5 - Re write of the dress of competitors clauses to improve interpretation and clarity of rules. There have been no changes of note but the section aligns with ILS and now includes photographs. Section 2.10 A new section added to define individual and team events. This section will clearly clarify and better align SLSA and anti doping body definitions.
Section 2.13 Draws. This section has been rewritten to improve rule clarity and competition fairness by ensuring that seeding can be undertaken for the initial draw and also for subsequent rounds. The section now also allows for vacancies caused by withdrawal to be filled.
Section 2.15 Completion of Courses. Additional wording has been added to allow for the use of electronic equipment to assist with all facets of judging e.g. course judging etc. Section 2.21 Changeover (Tagging) in relay events. An additional word has been added to further describe that a tag may occur on any part of the body.
Section 2.22 - Finish of Events Paragraph (b) has been amended to clarify that when competitors reach the swimming buoys to complete their leg of a race (e.g. a swimmer in the Board Rescue Race) they must signal correctly. This was previously absent.
Section 2.28 Competing Unfairly. A specific dot point was added to Paragraph (b) which reads: Competing contrary to the specific direction of the Referee or designated official...
Section 3 The IRB introduction at Section 3.3 has been changed to reflect the amended aims of competition detailed in the separate rules for IRB competition. To digress - I have also been doing some work with the ILS IRB rules and, because of other country needs, there may be a slightly different set of race rules for Rescue 2012.
Section 3.4.2 - Champion Lifesaver. Because resuscitation cycles are now similar the Child Manikin has been deleted. Similarly the Practical Resuscitation Section 3.4.7 and marking sheets in Appendix A have been amended to reflect the deletion of the Child Manikin. A minor change has also been made to the timing deductions based on feedback.
Section 3.4.3 - Champion Lifesaver. It has been clarified that all questions for the theory paper will come from the current Lifesaving Manual.
Section 3.5 Patrol Competition. The child manikin has also been deleted for this event and the defibrillator (AED) introduced to the resuscitation section. This has resulted in a few changes to team positions for both U/17 and Open Competitions.
Section 3.5 - It has also been clarified that all questions for the Patrol Competition theory paper will come from the current Lifesaving Manual. Similar to the Champion Lifesaver the Practical Resuscitation Section and Marking sheets in Appendix B have been amended to reflect the deletion of the Child Manikin and minor changes made to the timing deductions.
Section 3.6.2 First Aid. It has been clarified that the U/15 event shall be conducted over 8 minutes. The time periods for each of the age categories are: Open & U19 12 Minutes U17 8 Minutes U15 8 Minutes
Section 4.2.2 Surf Race. It is clarified that competitors must swim to and around the buoys. Section 4.3.1 Surf teams. It is clarified that if a team member fails to finish the team is disqualified and that the remaining team members are not to be counted in the point score calculation.
Section 4.2.2 Belt Race. It is clarified that linesmen may pay out line using an overhead or underarm procedure Section 4.5.2 & 4.6.3 2 and 4 Person Rescue Tube Rescue events. The way that patients are to be towed has been further clarified. Annexure Additional details of surf belt and line knots have been added.
Section 5.2.3 and 5.3.4 Surf Boat, and Relay Races. It is clarified that with the dry start the runner may touch any part of the boat (but not the oars). This means that the dry start procedures for these events and the Lifesaver Relay will all be the same.
Section 5.2.4(c) Replacement of gear in Surf Boat Races. It is clarified that with replacement gear is only permitted to be provided/used on the seaward journey. Section 5.4.3(c) - The paragraph has been amended to allow for five teams to compete over a nine string buoy set (as used for the Lifesaver Relay event).
Section 6.1 Board and Ski Events. New paragraphs have been added to the general conditions to clarify the replacement and removal of craft and/or paddles in all board and ski events. In addition the SLSA Board Usage Policy has been inserted into the Manual as an appendix.
Section 6.1 and 6.2 Single and Double Ski Races. The process for recording a correct finish after losing contact with craft across the wet finish line has been clarified. Competitors simply need to regain their craft and paddle (and only one paddle for the double ski), go back to the seaward side and re-cross the line in contact with their craft and paddle.
Section 6.1 and 6.2 Single and Double Ski Races. It has also been clarified that competitors must proceed around all buoys with their ski and paddle(s) but may lose contact on the return journey as long as they finish as prescribed for that event.
Section 7.1 Surf Board Riding. The basis for measuring short boards to determine specifications has been clarified.
Section 8.1 The SLSA Policy in respect of participation on skis was inserted into the General Conditions along with a reference to the Board Usage Policy (in the Section 6 Appendix). In addition paragraphs have been added to the Ironman/woman, Cameron and Taplin Relay, and Board Rescue sections clarifying the replacement and removal of craft and/or paddles.
Section 8.5.1 Paragraph (a) has been amended to clarify the team composition in the Lifesaver Relay event. Section 8.5.3. The procedure for the Surf Boat start was changed so that the runner may touch any part of the boat (but not the oars). This means that all boat dry start procedures are the same.
Section 9.1.2 A new paragraph was added to confirm that shoes shall not normally be worn in Beach Sprint events. Section 9.3.2 - Paragraph (c) has been amended to clarify that competitors must come from the correct age group (i.e. no one can compete up ) and must compete in the correct order for the event.
Section 9.4.2 Paragraph (e) has been amended to clarify that in Beach Flags if competitors cannot be separated by one run-off in the last run-through of a round (other than a final) a dead heat will be declared and both competitors will progress to the next round. In other runthroughs of a round and in finals there shall be no dead heats and run-offs will continue to determine exact placings.
Section 10.1.2(c) March Past. At the end of this clause a note has been added to refer to Section 4 (Swimming Events) for Reel, Line and Belt specifications as well as knots for tying belt knots, joining lines, March Past knots and splices.
Section 11.1 Pool Rescue Events. This clause was been amended to delete reference to the still water boat competition rules as they are no longer contained in the ILS Manual.
Section 13.16 Officials and their Duties. A position entitled Course Supervisor has been created to assist SLSA set and maintain, as far as practicable, compliant safe, fair and equal courses in all areas of competition. The new Section (13.16) shall read:
The Course Supervisor(s), if appointed, shall: Be responsible to the Referee, or Area or Sectional Referee for the safe, proper and fair layout of courses. Assess the prevailing and expected on-beach and in-water beach conditions for the duration of competition including available beach and sand, tides, current, swell, wind conditions and any other pertinent issues. Work with the Power Craft Coordinator and other appointed personnel to supervise the laying and of and adjustment of in-water courses prior to and during competition to ensure, as far as practicable, compliance with event conditions and to provide for safe, proper, fair and equal racing conditions for all competitors. Supervise the setting and adjustment of beach and life saving event courses and on-beach courses relating to in-water events to provide, as far as practicable, safe, fair and equal racing conditions for all competitors. Liaise with Competitors and/or Competitor Panels (e.g. Surf Boat Panel), Liaison Officers and other personnel regarding course conditions.
Section 13.20 The role of the Water Safety Coordinator was amended slightly to clarify responsibilities. A new (g) shall read: (g) In all competitions ensure that water safety meets the prescribed and assessed requirements.
Section 13.21 - A new clause has been added detailing the role of Water Safety Personnel. The new section shall read: Water Safety Personnel shall: Act under the supervision of the Water Safety Coordinator. Be positioned on the beach and in the water as directed by Water Safety Coordinator. Bring to the attention of the Water Safety Coordinator any concerns regarding the level of water safety at a particular time. Be responsible for the safety of competition in their appointed water area. Under the direction of the Water Safety Coordinator assist other areas if required. In all competition ensure that water safety meets the prescribed and assessed requirements.
Section 13.26.5 The role of Course Judges has been amended slightly to formalise safety observations and rescue capacity. The authority has been included in amended clauses ((d) and (e)) which read: (d) Report any safety concerns or rescue situations to the Referee or his delegate. (e) Course Judges in Boat may also act as a rescue boat and shall assist in any rescue situation. The crew should also ensure board riders, other craft and surfers are kept at a reasonable distance (having regard to the type of event being conducted) on each side of the competition area. Note: Because of changes the whole of Section 13 has been renumbered.
What is Likely to Happen Next? In the near future - probably not much in terms of actual rule changes, but obvious errors, typographical corrections and further clarifications will be fixed as and when required. We may also see some changes to operational safety and decision making as a result of the safety review and inquiries. I also see that, where it suits, there will be some closer alignment with New Zealand and with ILS in terms of event rules.
What is Likely to Happen Next? Using a crystal ball approach some actual rule changes to contemplate may include: Removal of the discretionary maximum numbers in events i.e. set maximums will be reestablished; and Change the award/age qualification alignment to enable review of team age categories.
Discussion, Questions and Answers
Thank You