Clarification of what is required for the 2017/18 season
As set out in the Surf Sport Competition Manual it is mandatory
for all competitors to wear high visibility vests in competition
(excluding pool-based events and IRB Events). Note that with
the introduction of mandatory Lifejackets to IRB racing and
training then high visibility vests are not required while wearing
a lifejacket (refer to policy SPS010 for full
details) It is also highly recommended that all members wear
high visibility vests in training or activities in open water
environments deeper than knee level.
Technical Colour Standards
To avoid any doubt about
whether a colour is 'high visibility' or not, specific PMS colour
standards have now been identified, as set out below.
Also, for the 2016/17 season
and beyond the colour highly recommended above all others is
Fluorescent Yellow. (PMS #13-0630 TN 'Safety Yellow')
If for some reason this is not
suitable, the other recommended colours are:
- Fluorescent Pink (PMS #16-2130 TN 'Knockout Pink')
- Fluorescent Green (PMS#13-0340 TN 'Green Gecko')
- Fluorescent Red (PMS#485C)
It is requested that from
2016/17 clubs do not
use Fluorescent Orange
(PMS# 15-1360-TN 'Shocking orange') as this will be used by Event
Safety Teams for in-water searches.
SLSNZ has in place a
'guidelines for safety vests' based on a 'singlet' style of design
that clubs can refer to (available on the SLSNZ website).
Please note it remains the clubs responsibility that the vests they
supply their athletes are 'fit for purpose' (i.e. high visibility
assist with competitor identification when in the water). This is
particularly important for junior members where there is a higher
duty of care required. Equally, if any event organisers are
supplying vests then they will be the ones ultimately accountable
of the 'fitness for purpose'. Short sleeve and long sleeve
rash tops may also be worn as long as they meet the technical
specifications above.
Ruling on vest
standards
Perhaps most importantly, Surf
Officials will still not be asked to make calls on the start line
as to the 'fitness for purpose' of high visibility vests being worn
by athletes unless they are clearly not high visibility or not
wearing a vest at all. This is because of the impracticality
of surf officials measuring the area of fluoro material and its
brightness. As such, to repeat the message above, the
responsibility for 'fitness for purpose' rests back with whoever
supplies the vests to the athletes - typically their club or in a
few cases the event organisers.
Officials will be asked to
report any concerns of vest standard of clubs to SLSNZ to complete
a discussion with that club on their vest standards.
Available documents:
Background
Information:
SLSNZ will continue to provide guidelines for those seeking
advice:
- As noted earlier, clubs will be
solely responsible for the 'fitness for purpose' of the vests they
supply their members;
- Event organisers will be solely
responsible for the 'fitness for purpose' of the vests they supply
competitors;
- Surf Officials will not be
asked to make calls on the start line as to the 'fitness for
purpose' of high visibility vests being worn by athletes. Their
only role will be to assess whether a vest of some high visibility
description is being worn or not.
The advantages of this
are:
- Flexibility for
clubs;
- It is in line with the approach
clubs have asked SLSNZ to take on 'Member Protection' in general -
whereby guidelines are provided to clubs rather than mandated
actions.
- There is no need to develop a
large manual of specifications for a wide variety of styles of
vests that could be continuously challenged;
- There is no need to set up a
certification/ testing regime to validate the acceptability of each
new club vest design;
- There are no additional
pressure placed on Event Officials;
However, the responsibility that
goes with this flexibility has to be seen to be taken seriously by
clubs. If there is evidence that clubs are supplying vests
that are not truly 'fit for purpose' or are not replacing them
before they become too faded then SLSNZ may need to step in and
mandate colours and dimensions.
In general, event safety is an
area that is constantly evolving so SLSNZ and the NSC will be
monitoring developments and changes should be expected in the
future.
