A few sailing clubs hire small ferries for members and guests to follow races. Visitors are welcome. One of premier blue water events in the world, it attracts a fleet of 100 or more competitors. The race is run by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. Surf Carnivals are very much part of the Sydney summer sport tradition.
Many members are women.
The movement encourages young children to join so they can later become 'lifesavers'. They are called Nippers after the small sand crabs found on beaches. The official swimming season runs from September to April, surf carnivals from November to March when the national surf championships are held in Queensland. 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.