Surf Sports

Staying Active for Life

Surf Lifesaving in Australia began in the early 1900s and surf sports were developed for lifesavers to practise skills and maintain fitness. Although competition today uses modern surf sports equipment, most events are based on traditional lifesaving skills and techniques.

Lifesavers compete in a variety of events such as:
Swim races
Board races and board rescues
Surf Ski
Rescue tube events
Iron Person (run, board, swim and surf ski)
Surf boat rowing
Beach sprints, relays and beach flags

Various clubs around Tasmania host surf carnivals over the summer, culminating in the State Titles in March. Some club members then travel to the Australian Titles, which are usually held in Queensland. Tasmania also has an endurance surf craft series that is contested in the months leading up to the start of the summer season.

Members can start competing once they turn seven years old, although disciplines such as surf boat rowing and surf ski are only open to senior competitors. Competition at Carlton Park focuses on participation and our members achieving their own personal goals. The club has a proud history of success at the elite level of competition, but for many competitors lifesaving competition is a means of keeping fit and spending time with friends. Many people join Carlton Park as a junior and stay involved in competition all their life. Our club even has members competing in masters events into their seventies.

Carlton Park has a number of accredited and experienced coaches in every discipline and training is available for all age groups and levels of experience.

Please contact the club for further information on surf sports and competition.

PO Box 44
Dodges Ferry, 7173
carltonpark@slst.asn.au