Surf Rescue

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In IRB racing, Surf Rescue is a competitive event requiring only one driver, a crew and the patient. This race simulates the most basic form of rescue, that is to pick up a single patient in trouble.

The race starts with the boat positioned on the shore line, nose facing out to sea. From the beach, the patient is placed to the right of a buoy positioned approximately 140 metres directly out from the shore. On initial firing of the starters gun, driver and crew proceed to drag the craft to an appropriate depth. The crewman holds the boat steady, allowing the driver to jump in and start the motor. The moment the motor fires up the crewman jumps up inside the boat and grabs the rope handle and positions himself ready for the patient pick up. The boat will now be in full operation and heading toward the patient as fast as possible. Depending on surf conditions, the driver and crew may need to negotiate breaking waves, in which the crew must clamber as far forward on the bow pontoon as possible to ensure the boat does not flip, and punches through the wave instead. Once the craft is within 10 metres of the patient, the driver will back the speed off slightly while the crewperson, leans out of the port side pontoon, preparing his left arm to form a solid hook. The patient readies themself just to the right of the turning buoy with both hands linked in a loop above their head. Precision positioning by the driver is required to ensure the craft comes up just next to the patient such that the crewman may hook the patient and pull them into the boat. The driver then turns sharply around the buoy and the entire crew prepares for a quick dash back to the shore by maintaining as low a profile as possible to lower any wind resistance on the boat. On return to the shore the craft will usually travel at top speed and will pop over or drive down the face of breaking or spilling waves respectively. As the craft hits the beach the driver must 'kill' or stop the motor before he exits the boat. On exiting a boat he must make a final dash to the finish line for placings.

The basic rescue is performed in both male and female categories and is the most anticipated and fiercely competitive event of the entire carnival.