Note: For the purpose of this description the ballot will be swim, board, ski and the course direction is right hand in.
(a) On the starting signal the first Swimmer shall enter the water, round the swimming buoys and return to the beach, round the two green and yellow turning flags and tag the second Swimmer who is waiting with their toes on or behind the SCO line or on the shoreward side of the SCO line. The second Swimmer completes the swimming course, rounds the two green and yellow turning flags and then visibly tags with the first board paddler who shall be waiting, with their board, with their toes on or behind the SCO line or on the shoreward side of the SCO line (refer section 2.28 for definition of a tag).
(b) When the first board paddler has completed the course the board may be left at the water’s edge and the paddler will round the two green and yellow turning flags and visibly tags with the second board paddler who is waiting, with their board, and with their toes on or behind the SCO line or on the shoreward side of the SCO line.
(c) The second board paddler completes the course, rounds the two green and yellow turning flags then visibly tags with the first ski paddler, who shall be waiting at approximately knee depth water with their ski and paddle.
(d) When the first ski paddler has completed the course, the ski paddler may leave the ski and paddle round the two green and yellow flags and visibly tag the second ski paddler who is standing at approximately knee depth with their ski and paddle. After the second ski paddler completes the course, they may leave their ski and paddle, rounds one green and yellow turning flag, passes the other green and yellow flag on the shoreward side, and continues to the finish between the two green or area coloured finish flags.
(e) Removal of craft from the competition course during the event is permitted by a team member or other Person(s) authorised by the Referee or Sectional Referee and provided they do not impede the progress of other competitors.
(f) Competitors in the Taplin relay events must commence their leg of the event from the (correct) position as allotted by the Marshall. If the competitor does not comply with this the team may be disqualified.
Note 1: The SCO line only is required for the swim or board start and a swim or board changeover, i.e. once a race has commenced there is no requirement for an outgoing competitor to cross this line after a changeover, but the swimmer or board paddler must be tagged on the shoreward side of the SCO line. The SCO line is not required for a ski changeover.
Note 2: The green and yellow turning flags are to be turned in the same direction as the buoys for each leg of the course.