Series Info: Oceanwoman & Oceanman
The flagship event of the Rescue Sport Series.
Swim. Board. Ski. Run.
The truest test of combined waterskills and endurance, Oceanwoman and Oceanman brings four disciplines together in one demanding race. It tests the complete ocean athlete, speed, endurance, technical waterskills, transitions and the ability to perform in changing ocean conditions. With a R100,000 prize pool, the largest for a single event in the Rescue Sport Series, Oceanwoman and Oceanman is a major feature of the Western Cape lifesaving calendar.
The growth of Oceanwoman and Oceanman within the Series is made possible with the support of Solid Oak Insurance, whose investment has helped establish a dedicated competition pathway and elevate the profile of this demanding discipline.
The Oceanwoman & Oceanman
Oceanwoman and Oceanman combines four disciplines into one race:
- Swim
- Board
- Ski
- Run
Athletes must combine speed, endurance, technical waterskills and efficient transitions across all four disciplines.
The result is a demanding test of all-round ocean racing ability — rewarding the athlete who can perform across the full range of lifesaving’s ocean disciplines.
The Oceanwoman and Oceanman competition forms a dedicated pathway within the Rescue Sport Series, giving athletes the opportunity to race throughout the season and compete for Series titles, leaderboard points and prize money.
Prize Pool
The Oceanwoman and Oceanman Series features a R100,000 prize pool — the largest prize purse in the Rescue Sport Series.
Open Female & Male
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1st - R12,000 + Sealand VIP Card
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2nd - R9,000
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3rd - R7,000
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4th - R5,000
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5th - R3,000
U19 Female & Male
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1st - R7,000
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2nd - R4,000
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3rd - R3,000
The 1st-place Sealand VIP Card provides 50% off all Sealand products for one year.
Prizes are awarded to the Top 5 Open and Top 3 U19 athletes in both the female and male categories. Prize money is paid following the Rescue Sport Series Awards in May 2027.
2026/27 Oceanwoman & Oceanman Series
The 2026/27 Series features four Oceanwoman and Oceanman competitions:
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Surf #1 – Fish Hoek ~ 17 October 2026 ~ Race 1
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Surf #2 – Clifton 4th ~ 7 November 2026 ~ Race 2
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Surf #3 – Strand ~ 6 February 2027 ~ Race 3
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Western Cape Champs – Milnerton ~ 28 February – 1 March 2027 ~ Race 4
Athletes’ results from these four competitions count towards their final Series standings. The Western Cape Championships carries double points, with athletes racing in separate age-group races.
Scoring & Points System
Athletes earn points based on their final placing at each competition. The standard competition points system applies at Fish Hoek, Clifton and Strand, with double points available at the Western Cape Championships. Series champions and prize winners will be recognised at the Rescue Sport Series Awards in May 2027.
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
Competition Format
Oceanwoman and Oceanman races take place one hour before the main Rescue Sport Series programme.
- 20-minute time cap
- No heats — straight finals
- All dry starts
- No seconds permitted to hold craft
- Leg order determined by lucky draw on the day
- Beach Arena: loop course using the traditional Ocean M beach model, with the finish line centrally positioned at the top of the arena
- Water Arena: traditional Oceanwoman and Oceanman layout or M Course, aligned with the Ocean Relay model
Competition Call Times
- 12:15 — Oceanwoman & Oceanman Marshalling
- 12:30 — First Whistle
Race Categories
At Fish Hoek, Clifton and Strand, athletes compete in two combined races.
| Race | Eligible Athletes | Scoring |
| Open Ocean Race | Open, U19, U17 LA | Open athletes score Open. U19 choose Open or U19. U17 LA score Open. |
| Youth Ocean Race | U17 LA, U17 JLA, U15 | U17 score U17. U15 score U15. |
Western Cape Championships – Milnerton.
At Milnerton, athletes race in separate age-group races: Open | U19 | U17 | U15
Double points are awarded within each respective leaderboard.
| Race | Athletes | Points |
| Open | Open, U19, U17 LA | Double Open |
| U19 | U19 | Double U19 |
| U17 | U17 LA & U17 JLA | Double U17 |
| U15 | U15 | Double U15 |
How You Score
- Open: Race Open throughout the Series and score Open points.
- U19: Choose to score on either the Open or U19 leaderboard. You may only score on one leaderboard.
- U17 LA: May race Open or Youth. Must race Youth to score U17 points.
- U17 JLA: Youth only. Score U17 points.
- U15: Youth only. Score U15 points.
Supporting the Future of Ocean Racing
The Oceanwoman and Oceanman Series is supported by Solid Oak Insurance, with a dedicated R100,000 investment into the development of the competition within the Rescue Sport Series.
The investment supports a structured competition pathway and helps elevate the profile of Oceanwoman and Oceanman racing across the Western Cape.
The ambition is to grow the discipline, attract more athletes and create an increasingly competitive platform for the next generation of ocean athletes.
Live Leaderboards
Live Oceanwoman and Oceanman results and Series standings are available through Live Heats and are updated regularly on the Rescue Sport Series website.
Questions?
For competition-specific queries, speak to your Sports Representative, who will liaise with Series organisers via the LCTD WhatsApp Group.
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)