FAQs

Question:

Are Boards and Skis scrutineered at the LWC2026 and what happens if an underweight craft is used in competition.

Answer:

As per Part B – Section 16.4d) of the ILS LWC2026 Handbook all competitor provided equipment used in the National Teams Youth and Open LWCs must be scrutinised prior to use in competition to ensure compliance with current ILS Craft Specifications and is in safe repair.  There is no compulsory scrutineering of competitor provided equipment used in Interclub Youth and Open LWCs.

However, notwithstanding this it is recommended that all competitors check their craft for safety and compliance prior to use in competition and to have a LWC2026 compliance decal attached. Scrutineers will be available to assist in this process.

Please also note that at any time before during or immediately after competition any craft used in competition may be subject to full scrutineering including weight and dimensions against specifications i.e., random scrutineering may take place at any time throughout any of the LWCs.

As per ILS specifications the minimum weights for craft to be used in lifesaving competition is 17.5kg for surf skis and 7.6kg for surf boards. The expectation is that manufacturers supply craft that meets ILS specifications including weight at the time of manufacture.

However, it is acknowledged that a ski can lose weight after manufacture. ILS allows for weight to be replaced with permanent material provided the material is fixed to the ski e.g. thermoset resin or other approved method. The craft cannot be used in competition until the weight is brought up to the correct weight specification (which is currently 17.5kg) in an approved manner.

A similar approach will be taken to allow any underweight boards to be brought up to the minimum 7.6kg weight.

For the LWC2026 ILS will allow the addition of weight by the use of resin, lead or other similar material attached to underweight craft under the supervision of scrutineers. This weight must not be removed from craft used in competition for entirety of LWC2026.

Craft failing scrutineering shall be treated as follows:

• If craft is found to be underweight at scrutineering prior to its first use in competition, the competitor may rectify the fault (as detailed above) or provide a substitute craft for scrutineering.
• If the craft is found to be underweight after use at the LWC, the competitor using the craft may be disqualified from further competition and further disciplinary action may be taken.
• If craft fails to comply with specifications (apart weight) then such craft shall not be permitted to be used in further competition. In addition, if such failure is deemed to have occurred due to alterations being carried out on the craft after manufacture, then the competitor may also be disqualified from further competition in the championships disciplinary action may be taken.
• If craft is deemed unsafe for further use, the competitor may either rectify fault or use a substitute craft.