What are the judging criteria?

SSA uses the ISA judging criteria (SSA Rulebook 2025, Section 3). The emphasis on each element depends on the location and conditions on the day, and changes in conditions during the day.

Shortboard: the surfer must perform radical, controlled major manoeuvres in the critical sections of the wave with speed, power and flow. Innovative and progressive surfing and the combination and variety of major manoeuvres are rewarded. Key elements:

• Commitment and degree of difficulty
• Innovative and progressive manoeuvres
• Combination of major manoeuvres
• Variety of manoeuvres
• Speed, power and flow

Longboard: controlled manoeuvres with the highest degree of difficulty in the most critical section, using the whole board and wave in traditional longboard style. Nose riding and footwork (walking) are key, along with critical section, commitment and difficulty, speed and power, footwork and control, and variety. Longboards must be at least 9 feet long with a minimum aggregate width of 47 inches (widest point plus 12 inches from tail and nose).

Stand up paddle: as for shortboard, plus functional use of the paddle for leverage to create more radical moves.