Series Info: How It Works
Your Guide to the Rescue Sport Series Format, Points, and Prizes
The Rescue Sport Series is a competitive platform designed to recognise South Africa’s top surf and pool lifesaving athletes, while driving recruitment and retention of qualified lifeguards across the Western Cape.
Summer Series Overview
- 9 Competitions from October to April
- 4 Surf Events + 4 Pool Events
- Open to all qualifying lifesaving athletes (JLA & LA)
- Athletes earn points at each competition and climb the leaderboard
- Top athletes are crowned Western Cape champions and awarded cash prizes at the end of the season
Competition Format
- Each event uses the existing LWC surf and pool competition formats
- Disciplines are selected by Competition Officers in collaboration with the Rescue Sport Series team:
- Surf Competitions: Tommy Veldhuis
- Pool Competitions: Bryan Allott
- Event lists are communicated to clubs in advance via email channels and launched on the Rescue Sport Series social media channels
- Athletes sign up for events via their clubs, this process is managed internally between clubs and the Competition Officer teams.
Overall Champion Titles
Athletes can compete for Overall Champion titles across 12 different disciplines, with titles awarded from U15 through to Open.
Each title is determined by an athlete’s combined results across all races in that discipline throughout the season. For example, all Board races contribute towards the Overall Board Champion title.
Cash prizes are awarded to top 3 U19 and top 5 Open Overall Champions. For a full view of all cash prizes and awards presented at the end of each season, read more here.
Note: For Swim Champion, results from Run-Swim-Run and Surf Swim events are combined.
Surf Titles
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Flags Champion
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Beach Sprint Champion
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Long Run Champion
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Swim Champion (RSR & Surf Swim Combined)
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Board Champion
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Surf Ski Champion
Pool Titles
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50m Manikin Carry Champion
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100m Manikin Tow Champion
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100m Manikin Carry Champion
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Rescue Medley Champion
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200m Super Lifesaver Champion
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200m Obstacles
Oceanwoman and Oceanman – Read more here.
Scoring & Points System
Athletes earn points in individual events based on final placings. Points are awarded for specific events based on the standard competition matrix, from 8 points for 1st place to 1 point for 8th place. Double points will be available for scoring at the WC Champs for both pool and surf.
Regular Competition Points
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1st - 8 Points
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2nd - 7 Points
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3rd - 6 Points
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4th - 5 Points
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5th - 4 Points
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6th - 3 Points
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7th - 2 Points
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8th - 1 point
Western Cape Champs Points
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1st - 16 Points
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2nd - 14 Points
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3rd - 12 Points
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4th - 10 Points
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5th - 8 Points
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6th - 6 Points
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7th - 4 Points
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8th - 2 points
Live leaderboards are available via Live Heats and Gallopili and updated regularly on the Rescue Sport Series Website.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for titles and prizes, athletes must:
- Hold a valid Lifeguard Retest
- Complete 20+ patrol hours during the season (LSA Duty Obligation)
- Comply with LSA Competition Manual rules (Sections 3.1 to 3.6)