How is priority tracked and shown to surfers?

Under the SSA Rulebook 2025 (Section 4):

• All SSA events use a priority system; the Contest Director and Head Judge choose a 2, 3, 4 or 5-surfer system.
• The Priority Judge makes the priority calls and may consult the judging panel on close calls.
• Priority is shown on a coloured display matching the surfers' vest colours: top to bottom if vertical, left to right if horizontal. Once set, surfers must check it themselves.
• Priority goes to whoever the Priority Judge believes reached the primary take-off zone first; if it looks simultaneous, it goes to the surfer who didn't have the last priority.
• The Priority Judge sets new positions after an interference, decides late arrivals' positions, and handles jet-ski pick-ups and drop-offs, broken boards and surfers washed out of the zone (suspending and restoring priority).
• A surfer leaving the primary take-off zone has priority suspended; all attempts are made to warn them over the PA, but surfers shouldn't rely on that.
• Losing priority for blocking or excessive hassling is decided by the Priority Judge and/or Head Judge.

If priority is disputed or the system malfunctions, the rulebook provides for consultation with the Technical Director and Head Judge, which may lead to a re-surf.