Reel Alarm Race – Teams consist of 6 members, the Patient, Beltman or Swimmer, 3 Linesmen and the Reelman.  It is a simulated rescue using the Reel in which teams race to fetch and haul in a mock-patient who is 120m out to sea.  The winner is the first team to cross the finish line without being disqualified.
Rescue Tube Rescue Race – Teams consist of 4 members, the Patient, Swimmer and 2 Carriers.  This is also a simulated rescue event using the Rescue Tube in which teams race to fetch, rescue and correctly carry a patient across the finish line.
Surf Race – This is an individual swimming event in which competitors run straight into the water and race around a set of buoys to the finish line which is a short distance from the waters edge.  The swim distance is approximately 285m.  This may also be contested as a team event, in which a team’s position is calculated from the individual positions of its 4 top competitors.
Run-Swim-Run – This is similar to the surf swim event with the exception that competitors run 200m before entering the water and 200m on exiting the water.  This event is also a standard lifesaving event used in the annual retest and qualifying exams for lifeguards.
Ski races – These comprise the Single ski event in which a competitor competes individually and races around 3 buoys on the ski route, the Double ski event in which competitors compete in pairs on the Double ski and complete the same route, and the Ski relay in which teams of 3 must race around the 3 buoys in a relay. 
Craft Rescue – In this event teams of 5 lifeguards line up.  On the start line they draw their positions which are the Rescuer, Patient and 3 Carriers.  Teams then race to fetch and return a patient to shore using the Rescue Craft.
Board Races – These comprise the individual Malibu board (kneeboard) race in which competitors race around 2 buoys on the route and the board relay in which teams of 3 competitors race around this same route in a relay.
Ocean man / Ocean woman – This event was previously known as Ironman and Diamond lady.  Competitors compete individually in a consecutive 3 leg event consisting of a surf swim, single ski and board race.
Taplin Relay – Teams of 4 members compete in this 4 leg relay in which one competitor completes the swim leg, one competitor completes the ski leg, one competitor completes the board leg and competitor will complete a short sprint leg.
Board Rescue – Teams of 2 lifeguards contest this event where one is the racing patient and one is the rescuer.  The patient races 120m out to a buoy and raises his/her hand as the signal for the rescuer to race out and fetch him on the board.
Beach Sprints – competitors race individually in a 90m sprint on the beach
Beach Relay – teams of 4 competitors compete in a relay with 4 legs of the 90m sprint track.  The baton hand-over is quite technical and is often a point of disqualification for teams.
Beach flags – This is a very entertaining event in which competitors lay down in a line across the beach all facing the sea.  On a set of commands they have to jump up and turn around and race 20m up the beach to a set of batons spaced along a parallel line to the sea.  On each round there is one less baton than competitors and so one competitor will be eliminated in each round.  The winner is the last man/woman left.
Beach Run – This is commonly referred to as the Long Run and individuals race around a set of flags on the beach.  The distances differ per age group where u/16’s run 1,4km, u/19’s run 1,6km and the open/senior and masters categories run 2km.
Boat Race – This is a traditional event that appears to be making a comeback! In this event teams of 5 competitors (4 rowers and 1 sweep) race a Surf Boat around a buoy a minimum of 400m out to sea.  There are a variety of formats that this race can be contested in which they vary in the start and finish of the race, although the accepted format is one in which one crew member races from the start line to tag the boat.  All crew members then board the boat and race around the buoys to cross the finish line between 2 flags positioned in shallow water.