The World Surf League (WSL) and the International Surfing Association (ISA) have standardized judging criteria partly through technology, ensuring fairness and transparency in competitions

Imagine riding the waves on your board while a line of people are focused on your every move-that‘s what happens to professional surfers every time they enter a contest!

Scoring in surfing competitions, once based on rather subjective criteria, has now become an almost exact science. In fact, behind each judgment lies meticulous work that, thanks in part to technology, makes sure that each maneuver is evaluated with the utmost accuracy. But how exactly does this system work? Let’s discover together the behind-the-scenes secrets of surfing competitions.

How the scoring system works in surfing

We’ve said it: competitions in surfing involve a well-defined scoring system that has evolved over time to ensure fairness and accuracy. While in the beginning surfing competitions were based on subjective criteria, standardized regulations have been introduced over the years. The World Surf League (WSL) and the International Surfing Association (ISA), the major federations that organize surfing competitions internationally, have developed regulations and guidelines that evaluate performance in detail, from maneuvers performed on the crest of the wave to the fluidity and control shown during the ride. These regulations are critical to maintaining the consistency and integrity of competitions, ensuring that every surfer is judged by the same rigorous standards.

The current scoring system represents a kind of balance between art and science, with judges using their own expertise than advanced technologies to assign scores.

Read also: Shaka: More than a Gesture, A Symbol of Surf Culture.

What makes up the score

In competitions, scoring is determined by factors such as. The quality and difficulty of surfers’ performances.

Waves are an important discriminator: more powerful waves offer more opportunities to perform spectacular maneuvers, while smaller, less powerful waves require some skill and performance is evaluated differently.

Generally speaking, the judging criteria are based on five main elements: commitment, the degree of difficulty of the stunts, the variety of maneuvers, the originality of the stunts, the “combination” of maneuvers, and the speed, power and fluidity of the performance. In other words, to be rewarded is not only technical execution, but also innovation and the ability to combine several maneuvers in one session.

As an example, a difficult maneuver such as an aerial (a spin in the air) that is performed with speed and power will get high scores.

In assigning scores, judges also take into account weather and tides, which can compromise surfers “performance-the difficulty lies precisely in fairly evaluating athletes” performance despite varying weather conditions during competitions.

“Cleanliness” and stroke completion, in other words, the surfer’s ability to finish the maneuver without falling off or losing control, are determining factors for grades.

Thus, the scoring system in surfing takes many factors into consideration-that is why the evaluation of a performance by competition judges is anything but simple.

How the evaluation system works in surfing competitions

The judging system in board competitions is complex: as mentioned, in addition to very competent judges, the support of technology is also needed. The panel usually consists of five judges, who score each wave surfed on a scale of 0 to 10. To ensure objectivity, the highest and lowest scores are eliminated, and the final wave score is the average of the remaining three scores.

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in improving the accuracy and transparency of judging. Programs such as iJudge make it possible to quickly enter scores via individual devices and review performances in a short time, while wireless ensures rapid transmission of information during competitions.

Despite the high costs, an interesting innovation is the use of drones, which can further improve the judging process: drones allow for additional, detailed images of surfers’ performances from above and from different angles, thus providing judges with material to more accurately judge complex maneuvers and critical situations.

Thus, the evaluation system in surfing competitions combines human experience with technological innovations to ensure fair and accurate evaluation of performance.

Read also: Everything you need to know about surfing rules (even the unwritten ones)

In conclusion

The scoring system in surfing represents a perfect harmony between human expertise and technological innovation. Federations such as the WSL and ISA have created rigorous standards to ensure fair judging, evaluating every aspect of surfers’ performance. Technology, with tools such as iJudge and drones, has revolutionized the way scores are awarded, increasing transparency and accuracy.

But what does the future hold? New technologies may emerge that will make competitions even more exciting and accurate. How will surf competitions change with these innovations? The world of surfing is constantly evolving, and we can’t help but wonder what surprises lie ahead.

We hope we have managed to satisfy your curiosity about this topic. If you want to stay updated on the world of surfing, keep following us here on the blog. And, if you have decided that you want to learn the sport in one of the best places in the world to practice it, check out our surf school in Fuerteventura!

Takeaways

• The World Surf League (WSL) and the International Surfing Association (ISA) have standardized the judging criteria in surfing competitions, ensuring that all surfers are judged with the same rigor and transparency;
• The scoring system in surfing combines the art of executed maneuvers with the science of technical evaluation, using criteria such as effort, difficulty, variety, originality, combination of maneuvers, and fluidity;
• Advanced technological tools such as iJudge and the use of drones improve the accuracy and transparency of evaluation, allowing judges to quickly review performance and get a detailed view from different angles;
• Scoring is done by a panel of five judges, with the extreme scores eliminated and an average of the middle three scores used as the final score. This method reduces subjectivity and increases accuracy;
• Judges take into account weather and tidal conditions, which can affect surfers’ performance. This allows for fair judging despite environmental variables, ensuring that surfers are judged uniformly.

FAQ

How does the scoring system work in surfing competitions?

The scoring system in surfing competitions has been standardized by the World Surf League (WSL) and the International Surfing Association (ISA) to ensure fairness and accuracy. Judges rate each wave surfed on a scale of 0 to 10, eliminating the highest and lowest scores, and averaging the remaining three scores to arrive at the final score.

What factors influence the score in surfing competitions?

Scoring in surfing competitions is determined by various factors, including effort, difficulty of maneuvers, variety and originality of stunts, combination of maneuvers, and speed, power, and fluidity of performance. Weather conditions and tides are also considered in the evaluation.

What technologies are used to improve evaluation in surfing competitions?

Technology plays a crucial role in improving the accuracy and transparency of judging in surfing competitions. Tools such as iJudge make it possible to quickly enter scores and review performances, while the use of drones provides detailed images from different angles, helping judges evaluate more accurately.