Beach Flags

This is a very typical NZ surf live saving competition: Competitors are trying to catch a stick as soon as possible. There are always fewer sticks than competitors. The competitor who could not catch a stick has lost and leaves the competition.

The race works as follows:
All competitors are laying on the beach on their bellies, ankles together, hands on each other and the chin rests on the hand. The sticks they have to catch later are out into the sand behind them.
The referee gives then the signal: “Competitors ready? Heads down!” and then comes the whistle blow.
At this moment all competitors are getting up as fast as possible and run to the sticks. Often they need to “dive” in order to catch a stick.

In the last picture you see the Top two diving.
Pictures: