Surf Life Saving Australia

Crewing Techniques

As referenced previously, the IRB Crewperson can utilise the seated position, lock in position or rise position with their body in front of the IRB Crewperson foot strap and maintaining three points of contact with the IRB.

An IRB Crewperson must shift their weight in the IRB as required to assist the IRB driver. This involves utilising suitable crewing positions and posture to maximise the IRB performance and safety.

Seated Crewing Position

The seated crewing position for an IRB Crewperson can generally be used throughout negotiation of the surf zone and involves:

  • The IRB Crewperson sits centred on the starboard buoyancy tube, away from the lifelines
  • Left hand holding bow rope handle with palm facing down or at 90 degrees with palm facing the body
  • IRB Crewperson’s right hand holds the starboard crew operator handle with their palm up
  • Left (rear) foot in a foot strap, heel down and toes up
  • IRB Crewperson should raise their buttocks slightly off the buoyancy tube if necessary to absorb any impacts when negotiating waves

Rise Crewing Position

The rise crewing position is beneficial when traveling over small waves, turbulent (choppy) water and white water. This position allows the IRB Crewperson to be in a crouch position to absorb the shock of the waves while being able to shift their body weight from left to right and back and forwards as required. This technique consists of:

  • Moving forward and rising from the seated crewing position to a crouch position facing the IRB direction of travel
  • The left foot remains in a crew foot strap
  • The right foot moves to a position directly behind the floorboard hinge, planted shoulder width apart
  • The right knee is bent, leaning into the buoyancy tube at the front of the spray dodger
  • The left hand holds the bow rope handle and forms a small loop in the bow rope holding the bow rope just above the 3rd knot to shorten the bow rope
  • The right hand holds the crew operator handle with their palm up
  • When impacting a wave, the IRB Crewperson slightly rises upwards to absorb the impact of the wave in their legs maintaining tension on the bow rope
  • Then return to the starting rise crewing position in preparation for the next wave

Locked-in Crewing Position

Utilising the correct locked-in position enables the IRB Crewperson to secure themselves into the IRB and stay in better contact with the IRB when manoeuvring, progressing through the break, or at any time that the IRB Crewperson or Driver deems it necessary.

The IRB Crewperson moves into the ‘locked-in’ position as follows:

  • Pushing forward with their left leg, and simultaneously pulling back on their left arm on the bow rope OR gripping the centre of the spray dodger whilst retaining the bow rope handle in the left hand
  • The right hand holds the bow rope above the first or second knot close to the D-ring
  • The right leg moves under the spray dodger with their right foot against the port (Driver’s) side buoyancy tube above the floor hinge, with the body forward
  • The left foot remains in a crew foot strap and is used as a bracing point for moving forward over the spray dodger and out over the starboard buoyancy tube. The left leg should be slightly bent, not locked or straight.
  • The IRB Crewperson’s right hip is on the buoyancy tube and is used as a pivot point to move forward and backwards when progressing through the waves
  • The IRB Crewperson’s right shoulder is tucked slightly under, and forward of the torso in an upright position. The torso and shoulder are leaning out and not in contact with the IRB as a higher body position is maintained when processing through the waves
  • The IRB Crewpersons head should be in an upright position and facing forward looking at the oncoming surf
  • Prior to impacting the wave, the Crewperson needs to ensure the balance of the IRB is maintained by pivoting forward and right on their hip by pushing forward with their left leg
  • The IRB Crewperson pivots back on their right hip to an upright position in preparation for the next wave

Option 1 – left arm pulling back on the bow rope Option 2 – Left hand gripping the centre of the spray dodger whilst still retaining the bow rope handle

Emergency Punch Position

The ‘Emergency Punch’ position is used when negotiating large or unbroken waves that are curling and about to drop onto the IRB. This position allows the IRB Crewperson to be further forward and secure minimising the possibility of rollover and reducing the risk of injury. This position is an emergency position and should only be used when the IRB Driver calls “punch”. This command will be called just prior to hitting the wave as the forward movement of the IRB Crewperson assists with the IRB going through the wave.

The emergency punch position consists of:

  • The IRB Crewperson moving into the ‘emergency punch position’ by pushing forward with their legs and simultaneously pulling back on their left arm on the bow rope
  • The left hand holds the bow rope handle down behind the buttocks with tension on the rope. If possible, the IRB Crewperson can wrap the bow rope over the body at their waist to grab the crew operator handle as this will create an extremely secure crewing position
  • Their right hand grabs the bow rope above the first/second knot close to the D-ring
  • The IRB Crewperson’s right leg can be drops down beside the right buoyancy tube
  • The IRB Crewperson’s hip is on the buoyancy tube and is used as a pivot point for impact
  • Their right shoulder is tucked under and forward of the torso. Their body laying directly onto the spray dodger with their right arm and head in a tucked position in line of the buoyancy tube ready for impact
  • The IRB Crewpersons head is to be facing the direction of travel and may turn inwards slightly when impacting a wave
  • The IRB Crewpersons left leg should be pushing forward but remain slightly bent (not locked or straight) as the IRB makes contact with the wave.
  • The head, shoulders, knees and toes should be in a straight line when in the emergency punch position to maintain spinal alignment

Standing Crewing Position

To increase visibility/viewing angles, the Crewperson can take a standing position. This is used to look ahead of waves for surfers and swimmers at the IRB Driver’s command, when suitable with consideration of the conditions. It should be performed at low speeds in predictable conditions. There are also benefits of a raised position in a Search and Rescue (SAR) – looking for an object or a hazard.

  • Only do this on command of the driver
  • Do not have your legs completely straight
  • Keep left foot in a crew foot strap
  • Right foot planted on the floorboard – shoulder distance apart
  • Right hand lets go of the operator handle and goes onto the bow rope
  • Left hand remains on bow rope handle
  • Leaning back slightly – keeping weight on the bow handle