(a) The swim section is conducted from the start line to the swimming buoys.
(b) The board section is conducted from the start line to the seaward side of the swimming buoys, pick up patient and return to the finishing line.
(c) Turning of Buoys – The board shall be paddled around the allotted buoy right hand in or as directed by the Referee.
(d) The race is concluded when the patient and rescuer have correctly completed the course, both in contact with the board and cross the finish line between the two green flags.
(e) The patients shall take up their position on the start line in their allotted positions.
(f) On the starting signal, each patient shall enter the water and swim to their allotted buoy. On reaching their allotted buoy, the patient shall place their forearm over the top of the buoy and then signal their arrival by raising their other arm to a vertical position whilst remaining in contact with the buoy. The said signal, subject to all conditions being fulfilled, shall be the determining factor in judging the patient’s arrival at their buoy excepting that should a competitor swim to a wrong buoy and signal the team shall be disqualified. The patients must then release contact with the swimming buoys, retire to the seaward side of the swimming buoys and await arrival of their Rescuer.
Note: The swimming buoy is described as the buoy only and does not include any attaching ropes or straps.
(g) The rescuer shall take up their allotted position on the start line. On receiving the signal the rescuer shall enter the water and paddle to and around the allotted buoy. The rescuer shall turn the buoy from left to right unless otherwise directed by the Referee. The patient shall make contact with any part of the board on the seaward side of the swimming buoy. The patient pick up shall be effected on the seaward side of the buoy. The patient may position themselves on the front or rear of the board, with or without assistance and may assist the Rescuer by paddling the board on the return to shore.
Note 1: In Board Rescue races the team shall not be disqualified if the rescuer incorrectly crosses the start/changeover line and then resumes the correct position to correctly await the finish signal from the patient.
Note 2: A team shall not be disqualified if part of the board extends onto the shoreward side of the buoy during the Patient pick up process.
(h) The finish is judged on the chest of the first competitor of the team (i.e. patient or rescuer) crossing the start/finish line on their feet, with both the rescuer and patient being in contact with the board.