Carnivals include races for surfboats, swimmers, board riders, surf skis and beach sprints. Some include surf reel events where a lifesaver wearing a belt attached to a large reel swims into the waves to 'rescue' a swimmer in trouble and be reeled back to shore. Once the main piece of rescue equipment on Australian beaches, the surf reel has long been replaced by outboard-powered inflatable boats. Larger carnivals include beach march-pasts with club teams in distinctively coloured caps marching behind club pennants. There is usually at least a club carnival or two every weekend, generally on Saturday afternoons.
Big events take all day.
Spectators are asked to make a donation but there is no entry fee as such.