The tests of Sports Aquatic Rescue in open swimming
The open swimming tests are carried out individually and by teams, just like in closed swimming. In the open water competition there are no records since the distances of the tests are referential. Since the environmental conditions of each competition (sea state, beach characteristics, depth, rocks,…) cause the distances to vary and that each competition is different.
Read to know about lifeguard requirements which need be a certified lifeguard.
1. Swim surfing
Description: Seven (7) buoys of different colors will be located 120 meters from the shore. Aligned and parallel to the shore, fifty (50) meters further in, two (2) buoys will be placed. Also aligned with each other with a separation of seventeen (17) meters. The starting line will be located five (5) meters from the swimming. Delimited by two vertical posts and with a length of approximately forty (40) meters between them. It will be aligned with the most lateral buoy to the left (as you look at the sea). The finish line will be three (3) meters long, marked by two green flags and located fifteen (15) meters from the swimming edge. It will be aligned with respect to the buoy located more to the right side.
2. Race with rescue board
Two buoys are placed at least 250 meters from the shore, separated by seventy-five (75) meters. Sixteen (16) meters further away, a third buoy will be placed. Which will be in the center of the previous two, forming a triangle between the three. The starting line will be located five (5) meters from the swimming. With a length of approximately thirty (30) meters, it will be centered with the most lateral buoy to the left (as you look at the sea).
3. Ski Race
At least 300 meters from the shore, two orange buoys are placed seventy-five (75) meters apart. Sixteen (16) meters deeper, a third buoy will be placed. Which will be in the center of the previous two, forming a triangle between the three. The starting line will be located in the swimming, at the depth in which the swimming is knee-deep. The finish line will be thirty-five (35) meters long, in the water and with the same depth marked for the start, delimited by two orange flags. The route that the athletes must take is to go around the three buoys and return to the sand, ending when the ski and the shovel cross the finish line. The arrival is determined with the entry of the material, whether mounted on it, grabbed or towed by the athlete.
4. Sprint a playa
The competition area will be rectangular. With a minimum length of seventy (70) meters and a maximum of ninety (90) meters. Jogging lanes will be laid out on the beach, separated by colored ropes. The streets will be 1.8 meters wide and a minimum of 1.5 meters. Competitors must travel the indicated distance without leaving their lane, barefoot and without the help of any artificial material at the start. The course ends when you cross the finish line.
5. Banderas
This is a test that is disputed by elimination, leaving out of the competition for the victory the athlete who fails to get a flag in the corresponding series. Participants must be placed in a prone position with their heels together and these above the starting line. Their hands will be placed, one above the other and under the chin of the participant. Twenty meters from their heels and oriented towards their backs, there will be the flags that they will have to get, which will be held vertically in the sand and placed between the participants who are disputing the test. There will be one flag less than participants.
Once placed in the aforementioned position. The judge will give the pertinent orders to carry out the start. “Head down”, in which the athletes lower their heads without moving their hands at any time. And a loud and dry whistle makes the participants start to get up. Turn around and fight for the flags. This start process in the test guarantees, in a certain way, the equality of start in the athletes without giving rise to an advance by one or more of the participants. In any case, it is the judges who decide if the start is null or not. All athletes who get one of the prized flags, will go to the next round. Being eliminated who did not get possession of one of them.
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6. Ironman – Ironwoman
The “ironman” and “ironwoman” test includes the sum of the “swimming surf”. “Rescue board race” and “ski” tests, ending with a sprint on the beach. The order of the relays is drawn at the beginning of the test. The competitor must cover all the posts of the course as specified by the main judge and may be assisted by a carrier.
Who will not be considered as a competitor. But who must belong to the same team, club or selection and identify with the colors of the same. Athletes must have control of the board or ski until they reach the last buoy. Including its route, and they will not be disqualified if they lose control of the material on the way back from the buoys. The athlete can lose control in the first leg and will not be disqualified if he recovers the material and continues. The course around the last buoy and completing the course.