Carnivals are held as competition between Nippers of different surf clubs, culminating with the Illawarra Branch Junior Championships to be held this Season at an Illawarra Club TBC, followed by the NSW AGE Championships at Queencliff SLSC.

To compete at a carnival, you must ensure that an entry form and accompanying entry fee is submitted through the HSPSLSC Surf Sports Entry Portal HERE

Other Carnivals and events are also held in which HSPSLSC Nippers may compete in – some of these are listed on the calendar. 

Individual & Relay Competition Events for Carnivals include: 

U8: Individual Sprint, Beach Flags, Wade Race, Sprint Relay & Wade relay. 

U9 & U10: Sprint, Beach Flags, Sprint Relay, Surf Swim, Board Race, Swim Teams, Board relay. 

U11 – U14: Sprint, Beach Flags, Sprint Relay, Surf Swim, Board Race, Swim teams, Board Relay, Board Rescue & Iron Man. 

• Club Competition (Team) Events for Carnivals include: 
• Cameron Relay 
• March Past 
• All Age Sprint Relay 
• All Age Board Relay. 

At all carnivals the HSPSLSC Club Cap must be worn as well as your hi vis rash vest for water events. 

The Carnival program will be available prior to each carnival (and will be available on HSP communication platforms) and whilst the carnival organisers aim to run as per the timetable, occasionally, event orders are changed so it is important to listen to the marshalling announcements and check with your Team Manager. 

Participation 

Not all children wish to compete in carnivals and being a good lifesaver does not depend on carnival participation, however for the majority of children, participation can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. 

We encourage all Nippers to represent our Club. We also take pride in our teams and enter as many teams as possible to represent HSPSLSC.

Carnival Officials and Water Safety 

There is a requirement that the club supply a minimum of 1 Carnival Official per 8 competitors at a junior carnival, plus water safety officials. 

If in the event there are insufficient officials, HSPSLSC may be withdrawn from the Carnival.

Parents or siblings of Nippers competing at Carnivals (U8 – U14) are expected to assist with Water Safety (must hold SRC or Bronze Medallion) or Officiating.  

It is important to keep in mind our code of conduct and fair play code whilst at carnivals. Remember it is never ok to argue with, degrade or speak unkindly to anyone at a carnival including your own child, a competitor or carnival official. If you feel that a decision, which has been made, is not correct, there is a process which needs to be followed. Please speak to your Team Manager about the situation. 

At the conclusion of a carnival, parents are requested to assist packing up tents and equipment; return boards to HSPSLSC or the HSPSLSC trailer; and ensure the area is left clean.