Beach sprint & beach relay
The beach sprint is a straight dash on soft sand, run in roped lanes and judged on the chest crossing the line: 90 m for juniors and seniors, 70 m for masters, and 50 m, 60 m or 70 m for nippers by age. The beach relay uses the same course with a team of four runners (three for masters), passing a baton.
Beach sprint and relay rules →
The sprint
Starting blocks are not allowed, but athletes may dig holes or build up the sand in their lane to push off. The finish is judged on the chest, and athletes must finish on their feet. Nippers run 50 m (U9–U10), 60 m (U11–U12) or 70 m (U13–U14).
Heats run as run-offs, with half of each going through, then semi-finals and a final of eight. See beach sprint and relay rules.
The beach relay
Relay teams place runners at both ends of the course. Each runner carries the baton to the next, and the last runner crosses the finish line. Throwing the baton is not allowed.
Beach sprint & beach relay in South Africa
1 027 beach sprint & beach relay divisions on Flagline so far. Leaders, the top clubs, records and field sizes are on the stats page.
SA Champs 2025/26 · Gqeberha
| Age group | Women | Men | Mixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Zoë B.CliftonEve A.Fish HoekClifton | Samuel BooysenCliftonClifton | – |
| Junior | Clifton | Marlin | – |
| U19 | Zoë B.Clifton | Christopher D.Durban Surf | – |
| U17 | Kealah P.Summerstrand | Joshua H.Clifton | – |
| U15 | Sabrina K.Big Bay | Marcel N.Clifton | – |
| Masters 30-34 | Carmel SadlerSummerstrand | Buntu MdyeshaneClifton | – |
| Masters 35-39 | Mandi A.Summerstrand | Brent Jerome ShieldMilnerton | – |
| Masters 40-44 | Lindsay HeynsMilnerton | Ryan ParnellPlett | – |
| Masters 45-49 | Gina McClellandClifton | Bruce AbrahamsFish Hoek | – |
| Masters 50-54 | Mariette CeronioFish Hoek | Jaysen GoldingFish Hoek | – |
| Masters 55-59 | Lisa PearsonUmhlanga Rocks | Shannon CainSeagulls | – |
| Masters 60-64 | – | Jeremy MilesUmhlanga Rocks | – |
| Masters 65-69 | Renee VrahimisFish Hoek | Christopher PearsonUmhlanga Rocks | – |
| Masters 70-74 | – | Mark WileyFish Hoek | – |
| Masters 75+ | – | Bruce Darbyshire-RobertsScottburgh | – |
| U14 | Lyra H.Kings Beach | Shah E.Kings Beach | Kings Beach |
| U13 | Gia H.Clifton | Joshua Z.Scottburgh | – |
| U12 | Kylie S.Kings Beach | Levi A.Fish Hoek | Milnerton |
| U11 | Riley A.Llandudno | Benn P.Plett | – |
| U10 | Alexis B.Kings Beach | Adrian R.Clifton | Fish Hoek |
| U9 | Tilda M.Clifton | Reece B.Kings Beach | – |
SA Inter-Provincials 2025/26 · Gqeberha
| Age group | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Zoë B.Western CapeWestern Cape | Samuel BooysenWestern CapeWestern Cape |
| U19 | Nina W.Western CapeWestern Cape | Quewin P.Western CapeWestern Cape |
Sources
- Lifesaving South Africa — Competition Manual, 17th edition (November 2022)
- International Life Saving Federation — Competition Rule Book, 2025 edition (revised May 2026)
Updated 29 September 2026. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@flagline.co.za.