What are the interference penalties?
Rule- South Africa
- Surfing South Africa
- SSA Rulebook 2025
- ISA judging criteria
- Surf competition
- All ages
- 2025
- Surfers
Under the SSA Rulebook 2025 (Section 4, Priority Rule 11):
| Penalty | Effect on the interfering surfer |
|---|---|
| Interference Penalty 1 | Second-highest scoring ride is halved |
| Interference Penalty 2 | Second-highest scoring ride counts as zero |
| Interference Penalty 3 | Highest scoring ride counts as zero |
| Disqualification | Disqualified from the heat |
Which applies:
- Non-priority situation: Penalty 1.
- Priority situation: Penalty 2.
- At SSA events, interference that stops a surfer riding a potential scoring wave in the last five minutes: Penalty 3. If the judges decide it was intentional: disqualification.
- The ride on which you interfered (while paddling or riding) also scores zero.
Two interferences: you must leave the competition area immediately. Two non-priority interferences: Penalty 1 on both your best and second-best rides. One of each: Penalty 1 on your best ride and Penalty 2 on your second best. Two priority interferences: disqualified from the heat.
In non-priority heats, a surfer who is interfered with is allowed an additional wave beyond any wave maximum, within the heat time (not if it's a double interference). Penalties need a majority of the judges; the Head Judge calls it only if no majority is reached. An interference call can't be discussed with the judges.
Updated 22 Oct 2026