Competition Judging Criteria

ECWA JUDGES GUIDE

WAVESKI & SURF KAYAK SURFING

 

Purpose

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The goal of judging is to reward the competitor who demonstrates the highest level of surfing performance on the waves available, regardless of the conditions.

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Judges should reward quality over quantity. A few well-executed, committed maneuvers on a good wave should score higher than simply riding a wave for a long distance or performing many basic turns.

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Judges should evaluate the wave ridden and what the competitor does with it, not the reputation of the competitor or the type or brand of equipment.

 

PART I — WAVESKI SURFING

 

1. Primary Judging Criteria

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Judges should consider the following, in roughly this order:

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A. Wave Selection

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Reward competitors who select waves that provide the opportunity for significant surfing.

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Consider:

• Quality and size of the wave.

• Critical sections available.

• Ability to generate speed.

• Opportunity to perform maneuvers.

• Position on the wave.

 

A competitor should be rewarded for making the most of the wave they select.

 

B. Maneuvers

 

Radical, controlled maneuvers are the foundation of high scores.

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Reward:

• Powerful turns.

• Top turns.

• Bottom turns.

• Cutbacks.

• Re-entries.

• Carves.

• Floater-type maneuvers.

• Aerial maneuvers.

• Barrel riding.

• Other progressive or innovative maneuvers.​

 

The difficulty, commitment and quality of execution should determine the score.

 

C. Speed, Power & Flow

Look for:

Speed — Does the rider generate and maintain speed?

Power — Does the rider use the wave's energy aggressively and effectively?

Flow — Are maneuvers linked together naturally, with speed and control, rather than appearing disconnected?

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D. Critical Sections

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Greater scoring potential comes from performing maneuvers in the critical part of the wave.

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A difficult maneuver performed in the pocket or critical section should generally score higher than the same maneuver performed on a weaker, less critical section.

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E. Control & Commitment

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Reward competitors who demonstrate control while pushing the limits of their equipment and the wave.

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A maneuver does not need to be successful every time to demonstrate commitment, but judges should reward successful execution.

 

F. Variety & Progression

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Reward a varied repertoire rather than repetitive turns.

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Consider:

• Variety of maneuvers.

• Increasing difficulty.

• Progressive surfing.

• Creativity.

• Innovation.

• Use of different sections of the wave.

 

2. What Separates a High Score From an Average Score?

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A high-scoring Waveski ride should demonstrate several of the following:

Speed + Power + Critical Position + Difficulty + Commitment + Control + Flow

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A competitor who combines these elements on a quality wave should receive a significantly higher score than a competitor who simply stays on the wave and performs basic turns.

 

3. Waveski-Specific Considerations

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Judges should recognize that Waveski surfing combines surfing technique with paddle-assisted performance.

 

The paddle may be used to:

• Generate speed.

• Assist with turns.

• Maintain balance.

• Set up maneuvers.

• Increase power.

• Perform progressive paddle-assisted maneuvers.

 

Judges should not penalize the use of the paddle as part of a legitimate surfing maneuver.

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The objective is to judge the overall quality and effectiveness of the surfing.

 

PART II — SURF KAYAKING

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4. Surf Kayak Judging Criteria

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Surf Kayak competitors should be judged on their ability to surf the wave effectively and progressively within the capabilities of their craft.

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The primary criteria remain:

• Wave selection

• Maneuver difficulty

• Speed

• Power

• Flow

• Critical positioning

• Control

• Commitment

• Variety

• Progression​

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Surf Kayak Maneuvers

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Depending on the craft and conditions, judges may see:

• Bottom turns.

• Top turns.

• Cutbacks.

• Carves.

• Re-entries.

• Lip hits.

• Floater-type maneuvers.

• Off-the-lip maneuvers.

• Spins and rotations.

• Aerial maneuvers.

• Barrel riding.

• Paddle-assisted maneuvers.

• Other innovative maneuvers.

 

The maneuver should be judged based on difficulty, commitment, control and execution, rather than simply the name of the maneuver.

 

5. Equipment Should Not Determine the Score

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Different Surf Kayaks have different characteristics and capabilities.

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Judges should not favor one type of kayak over another.

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A competitor should be rewarded for maximizing the performance of the craft they are riding.

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A maneuver that is difficult to perform on one type of craft should be evaluated in the context of the craft's capabilities, while still maintaining a consistent standard of quality, difficulty, commitment and execution.

 

PART III — ALL PADDLE CRAFT
 

6. Failed Maneuvers

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Attempting a difficult or progressive maneuver demonstrates commitment, but attempting a maneuver does not earn the score of successfully completing it.

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Judges should consider:

• Was the maneuver completed?

• Was control maintained?

• Was the rider's speed maintained?

• Did the maneuver improve the ride?

• How critical was the section?

• How difficult was the maneuver?

 

A successful high-risk maneuver should have significantly greater scoring potential than an unsuccessful attempt.

 

7. Wipeouts and Loss of Control

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A wipeout or significant loss of control generally ends the scoring potential of that maneuver or section of the ride.

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However, judges should consider the quality of the surfing before the mistake.

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A competitor who performs several high-quality maneuvers before falling should not be judged the same as a competitor who spends the entire ride out of control.

 

8. Comparing Rides

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Judges should continually compare rides against the standard established during the heat.

 

Ask:

Which competitor demonstrated the better surfing?

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Consider the quality of the waves ridden and the quality of the surfing performed.

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A competitor riding a smaller or weaker wave should not automatically receive a high score simply because they completed a maneuver. The maneuver must be evaluated in the context of the wave.

 

9. Judge the Surfer — Not the Name

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Judges must remain neutral. Judge only what happens during the ride.

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Do not allow these to influence scoring.

• Reputation.

• Previous results.

• Sponsorship.

• Equipment brand.

• Personal relationships.

• Expected results.

• Nationality.

• Age or division status.

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10. Suggested Scoring Framework

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Judges should use the full scoring range and allow the quality of the ride to determine the score.

0.0–2.9 — Poor

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Limited wave performance. Few or no effective maneuvers. Little speed, power or control.

3.0–4.9 — Average

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Some successful surfing and basic maneuvers, but limited difficulty, power or progression.

5.0–6.9 — Good

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Good wave selection and several effective maneuvers with reasonable speed, power and control.

7.0–8.4 — Very Good

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Strong surfing with difficult maneuvers, good critical positioning, speed, power, flow and commitment.

8.5–10.0 — Excellent

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Exceptional surfing. Multiple high-quality, progressive and committed maneuvers performed with speed, power, control and flow on excellent or highly critical sections.

 

11. The Fundamental Judging Principle

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When in doubt, return to this question:

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Did the competitor demonstrate radical, controlled and progressive surfing with speed, power and flow while maximizing the opportunities presented by the wave?

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The competitor who consistently demonstrates the highest level of surfing performance should receive the highest scores.

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Most Important Reminder for Judges

 

Judge the surfing—not the equipment, the athlete's reputation, or the result you expect.

The purpose of judging is to reward performance, progression, difficulty, commitment and quality of surfing.

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