Juniors racing Open
Juniors race individual events in their own age category, but the LSA manual adds that "the U/17, U/18 and U/19 may compete in the senior age group" (§3.6.2c). Because U17 and older juniors must hold a full Lifeguard Award (LA), in practice LA holders can race their age group and Open, while U15 and U16 juniors, who hold the Junior Lifeguard Award (JLA), race their own age group only.
What the manual says
- U15 and U16 (JLA holders): race their own junior category and cannot enter senior events (§3.6.4, surf and open-water tables).
- U17 (LA holders): may also race senior events, but not the U19 age group (§3.6.4, surf table).
- U18 and U19 (LA holders): race U19 and may also race senior events (§3.6.4).
- In team events, U17 to U19 juniors (and masters) may enter Senior/Open teams only if they were pre-entered in the Senior/Open competition (§2.11.3b).
The series rule
Series rule, not a manual rule: the Rescue Sport Series programme applies this by award. Juniors who hold only a JLA race their own age group; juniors who hold a full LA may race their age group and Open, and pay entry for both. Other competitions set their own entry fees and conditions, so check the entry circular.
Pool is different
The pool entry table marks U17, U18 and U19 as not able to compete in senior individual events, although U18 and U19 may race senior team events (§3.6.4, pool table). The "juniors may race Open" rule is a surf and open-water rule.
Open and masters athletes
Seniors (19 and over) race the senior age group, and only juniors may enter junior team events (§2.11.3a), so Open athletes race Open. Masters (30 and over at 30 September) race their masters band and may choose to race senior events as well, without the annual retest or duty hours but with an indemnity and registration form (§3.6.4).
Filling a senior relay after an injury
If a senior relay member is injured on the day, a U17 to U19 junior may be given dispensation to complete the senior team, on written application to the Chief Referee and only once every competitor in the senior age group has been used (§3.6.2e).
Common questions
Can a U15 junior race Open?
No. U15 and U16 juniors hold the Junior Lifeguard Award and cannot enter senior events (LSA Competition Manual §3.6.4).
Can a U17 race Open?
Yes, in surf and open-water competition: U17, U18 and U19 may compete in the senior age group (§3.6.2c). For team events they must be pre-entered in the Senior/Open competition (§2.11.3b).
Can a U17 race in the U19 age group?
No. The surf table says a U17 can race senior events but not the U19 age group (§3.6.4).
Do juniors pay two entries to race their age group and Open?
That depends on the competition. In the Rescue Sport Series programme a junior with a full Lifeguard Award who races both pays entry for both; the LSA manual itself does not set series fees.
Can masters race Open?
Yes. A master may enter the senior age group without the annual retest or duty hours, but must complete an indemnity and registration form (§3.6.4).
Can an Open athlete race junior events?
No. Junior categories are set by age at 30 September, and only juniors may enter junior team events (§3.6.2, §2.11.3a).
Sources
Updated 29 September 2026. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@flagline.co.za.