Lifesaving Sport
Lifesaving sport showcases the real‑world rescue skills that save lives, with competition built on speed, strength, and teamwork.
What is LifeSaving Sport?
Lifesaving sport showcases the real‑world rescue skills that save lives, with competition built on speed, strength, and teamwork.
POOL
COMPETITION
Pool lifesaving focuses on precision, speed and technique, using controlled environments to practise rescue skills like manikin carries, obstacle swims and line throws. It’s all about refining the fundamentals that underpin real‑world rescue.
OCEAN
COMPETITION
Ocean lifesaving showcases the full breadth of surf skills, navigating waves, reading conditions and working with rescue craft, through endurance‑based events that mirror the challenges lifesavers face in open water
The Faces of LifeSaving Sport
Our athletes are elite competitors who combine world-class athletic performance with genuine life saving skills – champions who can save lives.
Events & Disciplines
Ocean
Surf swimming, board paddling and ski racing
Pool Rescue
Manikin carries, obstacle swims, line throws, medleys and relays
IRB Racing
Inflatable Rescue Boat racing simulates real-world rescue where crews navigate surf conditions to rescue ‘patients’
Beach Flags & Sprints
Sprints rewards the first across the line and flags eliminate competitors one by one until only the fastest remains
Surf Boats
Crews power through the break, row out to the buoys, sweep around the cans and race back to the beach
Road to Brisbane 2032
Worldwide Reach
30M+ members globally
Gender Balanced
Men and women compete in the same events
Youth Oriented
Connects naturally with younger audiences
Social Purpose
A sport that saves lives
Start Your Journey
Join a local or national lifesvaing club affiliated with your country’s ILS Member Organization. These organizations offer training, competitions (pool and ocean), and certifications.