The judging criteria will be based on the following:

The rider must perform radical maneuvers in the critical section of a wave with Speed, Power and Flow to maximize scoring potential. Progressive wave riding as well as Variety of Repertoire will be taken into consideration when rewarding points for waves ridden. The rider who executes these criteria with the maximum degree of difficulty and commitment on the waves shall be rewarded with the higher scores.

Number of waves to be counted in your heat will be determined on the day by the Race Director.

The criteria shall be broken into 3 main sections for evaluation.

A) Radical Controlled Maneuver

This is by far the most important part of the criteria. Modern day maneuvers basically constitute change of direction of the board on the wave (not the surfer on the board). Such maneuvers would include re-entries, cutbacks, floaters, aerials, tube rides etc. How radical they are, followed by the amount of control and commitment put into each of them, will determine how high they will score.

POWER – COMMITMENT – CONTROL

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE, EVEN IF A SURFER HAS COMPLETED 90% OF A MANEUVER, IT WILL NOT SCORE IF HE LOSES CONTROL AND FALLS OFF.

B) Most Critical Section

This part of the criteria describes the position on the wave maneuvers should be performed to score the maximum points. THE CRITICAL SECTION OF THE WAVE IS THE “POCKET “, CLOSEST TO THE CURL. The degree of commitment and the risk involved in performing close to the curl is the reason that it scores higher. The most important critical section of the wave is the first section ” OUT THE BACK”. Degree of difficulty and risk taken = reward.

C) Best Waves

WAVE SELECTION IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR A SURFER IN HIS HEAT.

The wave that he selects will dictate the maneuvers he is able to perform. These days there is less emphasis put on wave size in small to medium conditions due to the fact that the best waves may not necessarily be the biggest.

However in a contest with big wave conditions, the most important part of the criteria would be the size. The surfer who is prepared to catch the biggest waves and do maneuvers shows the greatest commitment.

A surfer does not automatically score high because of wave size or quality. The surfer must comply with the first section of the criteria and wave selection to capitalize on full scoring potential.

NOTES:

When a rider wipes out on a wave, his score will be counted up until the point at which he wiped out.

If a rider is already riding a wave when the heat ends, this wave will count in its entirety and the judges will score it.

EXTRA CRITERIA FOR WINDSURF AND KITESURF:

Using the energy generated from the kite or sail to surf the wave won’t penalize the rider. However, a rider that uses exclusively the energy generated by the wave to surf the wave, will score higher than a rider that uses the energy of the kite or sail during their wave riding.

When a rider is going out to sea and they make a transition maneuver to change direction and catch the wave, such action won’t count in the wave riding score and the judges will only start judging the wave once the rider starts riding it.

Freestyle maneuvers on the way in (as part of the wave ride) and out will be counted and will go towards your heat score. Maneuvers will be judged on Power, Height, Technical Difficulty, Speed, Smoothness, Style, Variety and Innovation.

EXTRA CRITERIA FOR KITESURF:

The use of foot-straps won’t penalize the rider that uses them over one that doesn’t. However it will be taken in to consideration when doing maneuvers like aerials, floaters, 360, etc due to the higher difficulty of performing such maneuvers without foot-straps.

EQUIPMENT CHOICE:

Riders in ALL disciplines are free to choose whatever equipment that works the best for them in their heat.

This can include but is not limited to:

Surf: Short board, long board, Stand Up board!

Kitesurf: Bow kite, C kite, Twintip, surfboard, straps, strapless!

Windsurf: Old school, new school, SUP board, race sail, wave sail!

Ride what you feel comfortable with and what will give you your best score. Judges will NOT penalize or favor your gear selection.