Surfing is more than just a gnarly way to catch some waves. Its a sport that has grown in popularity over the years, attracting competitive athletes from all over the world. From the early days of surfing in Hawaii to the modern-day competitions, the sport has evolved.
So wax up your board and get ready to hang ten as we dive deep into the history, surfing rules, and strategies. Whether you’re a total kook or a seasoned pro, understanding the ins and outs of competitive surfing will give you a leg up on the competition. At the end of this article we hope you’ll be as amped as us, and frothing to get out in the surf. (Don’t worry, the puns end here – kind of…)
A Very Brief History of Surfing
The origins of surfing can be traced back to ancient Hawaii, where the sport was considered a sacred tradition. The Polynesians believed that surfing was a way to connect with their ancestors and the spirit world. Hawaiian kings and chiefs were known to be skilled surfers, and would go out on longboards made from wood and bamboo!
Surfing was introduced to the Western world in the late 1800s, when Hawaiian princes and princesses began to showcase the sport in California. The first recorded surfing contest was held in 1885 in Hawaii. The first surfboard was made of wood, but in the 1960s, the invention of the foam surfboard revolutionised the sport.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the sport of surfing experienced a resurgence in popularity, and it became a cultural phenomenon. The sport was featured in movies, music, and television shows, and it attracted a new generation of surfers.
What do I need to Surf?
The most essential piece of equipment for surfing is the surfboard. Surfboards can be made of various materials such as foam, epoxy, and fiberglass. The size and shape of a surfboard can vary depending on the type of wave and the skill level of the surfer.
Longboards are the most traditional type of surfboard, and they are best for beginners and for catching larger waves. Shortboards are a more modern design, and they are best for experienced surfers who want to perform more maneuvers.
Other important equipment for surfing includes a wetsuit, which is worn to keep the surfer warm in cold water. A leash, which attaches the surfer to their board and prevents the surfer getting separated from the board. Fins are attached to the bottom of the board to provide added stability and control.
The person riding the wave is free to ride the wave in their own way. However, there are different styles of surfing, such as longboarding, shortboarding, and bodyboarding.
Nice, but what about Competitive Surfing?
Surfing is a solo sport, but surfers can also compete against each other in organised competitions. The objective is to catch a gnarly wave and ride it as far as possible, while performing various manoeuvres and tricks.
Surfers typically paddle out to a location where they believe they will find the best waves, and they then wait for a wave to come. When a wave comes, the surfer paddles to catch it and then stands up on the board. The surfer then rides the wave as far as possible, performing maneuvers along the way.
How do Surfing Competitions actually work?
Surfing competitions are typically organized by vatious governing bodies including the International Surfing Association (ISA), World Surf League (WSL), and National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA). Surfers are often divided into different catorgories based on age, gender and skill level and depending on the location waves can range in size from 2-20+ feet (0.6-6+ metres).
How Are Points Awarded in Competitve Surfing?
In competitive surfing, points are awarded based on the performance of the surfer during their ride. Judges assess each wave and assign a score between 0.1 and 10.0, based on the following criteria:
- Commitment and degree of difficulty: This refers to how challenging the wave is and how committed the surfer is to riding it. More difficult waves and maneuvers will score higher.
- Innovative and progressive maneuvers: Judges look for surfers who push the boundaries and come up with new and innovative maneuvers.
- Combination of major maneuvers: Surfers who link together several difficult maneuvers in quick succession will score higher.
- Variety of maneuvers: Judges look for surfers who can perform a variety of maneuvers on different sections of the wave.
- Speed, power, and flow: Judges assess the surfer’s overall performance and how well they flow through the wave with speed and power.
The highest and lowest scores from the panel of judges are discarded. The surfer’s score is calculated by adding up the remaining scores. Surfers typically compete in multiple rounds (heats), with the top scores advancing to the next round.
In addition to the above criteria, judges may also take into account external factors such as wave quality, wind, and weather conditions, as well as the overall strategy and competitiveness of the surfer.
Fouls and Loss of Points
In competitive surfing, there are certain actions that are considered fouls and can result in penalty points or even disqualification from the heat. Here are some common fouls in competitive surfing:
- Interference: Interference occurs when one surfer interferes with the ride of another surfer. This can happen when one surfer paddles in front of another, obstructs their path, or blocks their ride. Interference results in a penalty, which is deducted from the surfer’s score for that wave.
- Priority interference: Each surfer in a heat is assigned a priority, which gives them the right of way to catch a wave. Priority interference occurs when a surfer with lower priority interferes with the ride of a surfer with higher priority. This results in a penalty, which is deducted from the surfer’s score for that wave.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct: Unsportsmanlike conduct can include actions such as verbal abuse, physical contact, or deliberate attempts to obstruct or distract other surfers. Unsportsmanlike conduct can result in penalty points or disqualification from the heat.
- Outside assistance: Outside assistance occurs when a surfer receives help from someone outside the competition, such as a coach or spectator. This can result in disqualification from the heat.
- Equipment violations: Equipment violations can include using illegal equipment, such as a board that does not meet the competition rules, or making modifications to the equipment during the heat. Equipment violations can result in penalty points or disqualification from the heat
- Not catching a wave: In a heat, a surfer must catch a wave within a certain time limit or they will be disqualified.
- Not returning to the lineup: After catching a wave, a surfer must return to the lineup, or the area where the waves are breaking, within a certain time limit or they will be disqualified.
- Not wearing proper safety equipment: A surfer must wear a leash and a wetsuit or rash guard in competition to ensure safety.
It’s important for surfers to understand the rules and avoid committing fouls in order to compete fairly and successfully.
To sum it all up, surfing is enjoyed by millions across the globe, and many dedicate their lives to cruising coastlines in the aim of catching the perfect wave. Its an awesome way to get back into nature and to experience the power of the ocean first hand. We hope that this blog will assist in improving your enjoyment, or even help you to get involved with this skilful sport!
If you were interested with this one have a read about skate-boarding, which was amazingly invented by surfers! Or check out recent competitions here!
