Race Rules

M Lifesaving Challenge – OCEAN M
Lake Viverone – Anzasco (Piverone)

Art. 1 – Organiser and governing rules

The M Lifesaving Challenge – OCEAN M event is organised by Nuotatori Canavesani A.S.D. in cooperation with the entities and partners listed in the official programme.

The race is a promotional open-water lifesaving event inspired by the international Ocean Man/Ocean Woman format.

Unless otherwise specified in these rules, the following regulations apply:

• FIN Technical Regulations – Lifesaving (Ocean events section – Ocean M);
• ILS (International Life Saving Federation) rules for ocean events.

Art. 2 – Date, venue and general features

The race takes place at Lake Viverone, Anzasco area (Municipality of Piverone – TO), on the date stated in the official programme.

The race course is set in open water with an “M” shaped route consisting of:

• swim leg;
• rescue board leg;
• canoe/surfski leg;
• final beach sprint/run and change area.

The total water distance is approximately 1,640 m, plus running and change sections on the beach.

Art. 3 – Events and categories

The following individual events are scheduled:

• OCEAN M men;
• OCEAN M women.

The race is Open: athletes are admitted from 13 years (FIN “Ragazzi”) up to Masters. There are no separate age/club categories for heats: athletes compete in one men’s and one women’s bracket; any age-category and/or Masters rankings may be extracted afterwards by the Organising Committee.

Club Trophy and related scoring rules will be defined in the official race notice.

Art. 4 – Participation requirements

Athletes must be:

• properly registered with FIN – Lifesaving or another recognised federation/body, as stated in the race notice;
• in possession of a valid competitive medical certificate for swimming or lifesaving on the race date.

For minors, parental/legal guardian consent is required. The maximum number of participants is defined by the Organising Committee; registrations may close early once the limit is reached. Entering the race implies full acceptance of these rules. Foreign athletes may participate.

Art. 5 – Race format (bracket and elimination rounds) – Club Trophy

The OCEAN M event is run in elimination heats according to the following principle:

• athletes are divided into heats of 8 competitors;
• the first 4 in each heat advance to the next round (quarter-finals, semi-finals, final) until an 8-athlete final is formed.

Heat and bracket composition (men and women) is determined by an official draw, which may be held as a live event/broadcast as decided by the Organising Committee. Depending on the number of entries, the programme may include qualification heats, quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.

The Organising Committee reserves the right to:

• introduce seeded athletes (e.g., with international/national results);
• allow repechage/“lucky losers” if needed to ensure correct heat composition.

Any changes to the round structure will be announced at the technical briefing and/or via official communications.

Club ranking

Art. 6 – Course and buoys

The course reproduces the OCEAN M route, with:

• reference buoys for swim, board and canoe legs;
• mid-course turning mark in shallow-water/beach area;
• start line and finish/change line on the beach.

Art. 7 – Course and legs

7.1 Order of legs

• swim;
• rescue board;
• canoe/surfski;
• final beach sprint/run.

A different order may be adopted only for proven technical or safety reasons and will be communicated officially.

7.2 Swim leg

Athletes start from their assigned position, enter the water and follow the swim buoys. The course includes: heading to the first swim buoy, rounding the buoys in the direction stated at briefing (normally clockwise), returning to the mid-course mark, transitioning towards the beach and running to the finish/change line to start the board leg.

7.3 Rescue board leg

From the craft area, athletes enter the water with the rescue board and follow briefing instructions: passing outside/inside swim buoys as explained by officials, rounding the board buoys in the stated direction, returning to the beach, passing near the turning mark and running to the finish/change line to start the canoe leg. Throughout the leg, athletes must respect the direction of travel and the correct side for each buoy as explained at the technical briefing.

7.4 Canoe/Surfski leg

The canoe/surfski leg starts from the craft area on the beach. The course includes: entering the water passing outside the initial buoys, rounding the canoe buoys in the stated direction, returning towards the beach passing outside the reference buoys, running to the finish/change line.

7.5 Final beach sprint/run

After completing the canoe leg, the athlete leaves the craft in the designated area, runs to the turning flag/mark, completes the final run section and crosses the finish line (arch/line). The finish is judged when the athlete’s chest, in an upright position, crosses the finish line.

Art. 8 – Start positions and craft handlers

Each athlete has an assigned start position for the swim start. For the board and canoe/surfski legs, as a derogation from FIN and ILS rules, handlers may position boards and canoes/surfskis freely, as instructed by the Organisation and without obstructing other competitors.

Each athlete may be assisted by a maximum of two craft handlers, who:

• must wear a cap or garment clearly identifying the athlete/team;
• must wear a high-visibility bib when entering the water above knee level, if required by the Organisation;
• hold board/canoe in floating position in the area indicated by officials;
• must avoid any interference and follow the jury’s instructions.

Misconduct by a handler may result in the athlete’s disqualification.

Art. 9 – Equipment, rental and substitutions

Boards, canoes/surfskis and paddles must comply with ILS/FIN specifications for lifesaving races. Personal equipment is allowed, subject to inspection and approval by the Race Director; the Organisation may provide a limited number of craft as stated in the race notice.

9.1 Rental equipment

Any equipment available for rental is provided, for a fee, by Elena Prelle and Nicola Ferrua. Payment for the rental must be made directly to the above-mentioned providers, according to the arrangements agreed with them. Timing, duration, availability, conditions of use and rental arrangements must be agreed directly between the interested athlete and Elena Prelle and Nicola Ferrua. The Organisation of the event does not directly manage the rental service or the related payments.

9.2 Substitutions during the race

During a leg:

• boards, canoes or paddles may not be replaced unless they are damaged or unsafe to continue;
• if authorised, replacement may occur only at the start/change line with the help of a handler.

Damaged or abandoned craft may be removed by the athlete’s team, provided that this does not interfere with other competitors or compromise safety.

Art. 10 – Contact with the craft

During the board and canoe/surfski legs, the athlete must maintain contact with the craft until rounding the last buoy of the relevant course. Loss of contact is tolerated on the outbound section provided the athlete recovers the craft, rounds the last buoy while in contact and completes the course correctly; it does not result in disqualification on the return section unless otherwise required for safety. Failure to comply may result in disqualification under FIN/ILS rules.

Art. 11 – Safety and course changes

The event takes place with:

• qualified lifesaving assistance personnel;
• rescue support craft (assistance boats, possible RIB support);
• medical assistance (ambulance and/or advanced medical point).

The Referee, in agreement with the Race Director and the Organisation, may at any time suspend, postpone or cancel the race, change buoys, distances, direction of travel, or replace the “M” course with an alternative course in case of adverse conditions or safety needs. Athletes must strictly follow all instructions given at the briefing and by race officials.

Art. 12 – Start procedures and recalls

Starts will follow the procedures explained at the briefing (sound/visual signal and Starter’s commands). False starts may result in a general recall and restart, an individual recall and, in case of repeated offence, disqualification under FIN/ILS rules. Athletes must present themselves to the call room or pre-start area within the stated times; failure to respect timings may result in exclusion from the heat.

Art. 13 – Rankings and awards

For the OCEAN M event, the following will be produced: overall men’s ranking and overall women’s ranking. The Organising Committee may also provide age-category and/or Masters rankings and a club ranking with possible trophy and prize money. Awards and allocation rules will be stated in the official race notice and the event programme.

Addendum to Art. 13 – Age-category rankings (Best Time) and special awards

A13.1 – Age-category rankings (extra) – “Best Time” criterion

In addition to the Open ranking, age-category rankings will be published using the Best Time criterion.

• Best Time = the athlete’s best (lowest) time recorded in any valid race/heat of the event, as measured by the official timing service.
• Only official times from valid races/heats are considered. The Organisation may exclude times deemed invalid (e.g., technical issues, heat cancellation, etc.).
• In case of DNF (Did Not Finish) or DSQ (Disqualified) in the Ocean M event, the athlete is not included in extra rankings/awards.
• Age-category rankings do not affect the Open ranking in any way.

A13.2 – Age groups

For age-group allocation, the reference age is the one the athlete turns in the calendar year of the race (2026), regardless of day and month of birth.

• 13–18
• 19–24
• 25–29
• 30–34
• 35–39
• 40–44
• 45–49
• 50–54
• 55–59
• 60+

Age-group rankings may be published separately for Men/Women.

A13.3 – Age-group awards: “No double prize” rule (Top 8)

• Athletes placed in the Top 8 of the Open ranking may not receive an additional age-group award.
• Age-group awards are therefore assigned to the best Best Time within each age group among athletes not in the Open Top 8 (automatic roll-down).

A13.4 – Activation of age groups and ties

• Activation: an age group is awarded/activated if it has at least 3 entries; otherwise the Organisation may merge it with the adjacent group.
• Tie (Best Time): 1) the second-best time (if available) prevails; 2) otherwise, the better Open placing prevails.

A13.5 – Special awards “Best Leg” (Swim / Board / Surfski)

The following special awards will be assigned:

• Best Swim Leg – Men
• Best Swim Leg – Women
• Best Board Leg (Rescue Board) – Men
• Best Board Leg (Rescue Board) – Women
• Best Surfski Leg – Men
• Best Surfski Leg – Women

“Leg time” means the official split time recorded by the timing service between the start and the end of the specific leg, according to checkpoints/timing lines defined by the Organisation.

• Allocation: the winner is the athlete with the lowest leg time in the relevant Men’s or Women’s ranking. If an athlete records multiple leg times, the best one is considered.
• Tie: 1) the better Open placing prevails; 2) if still tied, the time achieved earlier in chronological order (earlier heat/round) prevails.
• Publication: “Best Leg” rankings will be published on the event’s official channels.

Art. 14 – Penalties and disqualifications

In addition to cases provided by FIN/ILS rules, the following (non-exhaustive) are grounds for disqualification:

• not completing the course as prescribed (missing buoys/marks/sections of the race);
• unsportsmanlike or dangerous conduct towards other athletes, handlers or officials;
• use of non-compliant or unauthorised equipment;
• failure to comply with jury and Organisation instructions;
• intentional interference by a handler.

The Referee is the only authority responsible for confirming disqualifications, based on officials’ reports.

Art. 15 – Image rights and liability

By registering, the athlete (and, for minors, the legal guardian) authorises the Organisation to use photos/videos of the event for information and promotional purposes, including on web and social channels. The Organisation declines any responsibility for damages to persons or property arising from behaviour not compliant with these rules or race instructions.

Art. 16 – Final clause

These rules may be supplemented and updated by the Organising Committee via official communications. For matters not covered herein, reference is made to the FIN Lifesaving Regulations and ILS rules in force on the event date.

Official contacts: info@mlifesavingchallenge.com