Can I go into the judging area or the water during my child's heat?

Under the SSA Rulebook 2025:

• Judging area: no. Unauthorised people, including coaches, managers, sponsors, competitors, friends and family, are not allowed in the judging area. The Head Judge is in sole control of it.
• Approaching judges: don't approach judges about a call or result; a penalty may be imposed.
• In the water: surfers may get help from water caddies or jet skis only in extreme conditions, when the Contest Director (with the Head Judge) allows it, entering from a marked marshalling area. If a caddie rides a wave the surfer can be fined (R200 per wave), and if a caddie interferes with another surfer, the interference is called on the surfer they're caddying for.
• Using outside craft (such as a jet ski or patrol board) and then re-entering the competition zone counts as interference, unless officials moved the surfer out of a life-threatening situation.
• Water photographers must check in with the Contest Director and sign a waiver; only two at a time, no hard boards.