Ironman, ironwoman and iron nipper rules
The ironman and ironwoman is one athlete racing a swim, board and ski leg and finishing with a run on the beach (§4.6.3). The order of the three water legs is drawn by ballot at the start of each competition day (§4.6.1). The iron nipper is the U13 and U14 version: a swim, a board leg and a run, raced in a fixed order rather than a balloted one.
Legs and order
Each leg follows its own discipline's course: the swim buoys, the board buoys and the ski buoys, then a run around the turning flags to the finish (§4.6.3). A ballot at the start of each day sets the order of the swim, board and ski legs; if a fair craft start looks unlikely, the Chief Referee can put the swim first and ballot the rest (§4.6.1).
In the ironman and Taplin, craft may not pass through the swim buoys (§4.6.1).
Handlers and craft
A handler from the team may hold the ski and take away the craft; handlers wear the club cap and a hi-vis vest beyond knee depth, and must not impede anyone (§4.2.22). You must stay in contact with your craft up to and including the last buoy of each leg; losing it on the way in is not penalised (§4.6.3).
Up to 16 race at a time, with a 20-minute limit (§4.2.9, §4.2.11). SA titles are raced at U15, U17, U19 and senior level (§11.4.1).
Iron nipper (U13 and U14)
Only U13 and U14 nippers may enter; there is no iron nipper for U9 to U12 (§4.6.1, §4.6.4). It has a swim and a board leg around buoys 80 m out plus a run, and the leg order is fixed rather than balloted. The manual describes the order two ways (§4.6.1 lists run, swim, board and a sprint; §4.6.4 a swim and board finishing with a run), so check the order at the briefing on the day.
Ocean M
The Oceanman/Oceanwoman M race is a separate, non-championship event with a fixed swim, board, ski order (§4.6.1, §4.7.6).
Common questions
What order are the ironman legs?
The swim, board and ski order is drawn by ballot at the start of each competition day, and the race always finishes with a run (LSA Competition Manual §4.6.1, §4.6.3).
Is there an ironman for nippers?
Yes: the iron nipper, for U13 and U14 only, with a swim, a board leg and a run in a fixed order (§4.6.1, §4.6.4).
What does an ironman handler do?
Holds the ski ready and removes craft from the course; the handler must be entered, wear the club cap and a hi-vis vest in deeper water, and not impede others (§4.2.22).
Can you lose your board in the ironman?
You must be in contact with it up to the last buoy of the leg, but losing it on the way back in is not penalised (§4.6.3).
Sources
Updated 29 September 2026. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@flagline.co.za.