1. Frequency and Eligibility

The PASG will be held every second year and is for surfers who are members of affiliated NGB’s, in good standing with the PASA.
2. Disciplines

The PASG may include the following medal events:

      a) The PASG Men’s Open
      b) The PASG Junior
      c) The PASG Women’s Open
      d) The PASG Longboard Open
      e) The PASG Bodyboard Men’s Open
      f) The PASG Bodyboard Women’s Open
      g) The PASA Trophy
      h) The Pan American Team Tag Team Surfing Games

3. Team Size and Age Division

A. Team sizes for the PASG are:

    a) Open Division 4
    b) Junior Division 4
    c) Women’s Division 2
    d) Men’s Bodyboard Division 2
    e) Longboard Division 2
    f) Women’s Bodyboard Division 1
    g) Judges 2 or 1*
    h) Manager 1
    i) Assistant Manager 1
    j) Coach 1
    k) Translator **

B. Junior Section                                                                                                                                                                                 

a) Boy’s Junior Division 4
b) Boy’s Cadet Division 4
c) Girl’s Junior Division 4
d) PASA Team Cup 5

Team size for the PASG Team Cup = 4 men and 1 woman.
* Note: Team Rated 1-10 = 2 judges and 11-20 = 1 judge
**Where the official language of the host nation (or a team) is not English, a translator may be included in the team and he/she will be afforded the same privileges as a competitor by the host nation.

A Junior Surfer is any surfer who has not reached the age of 18 years on January 1st of the year during which the PASG will be held and in which he is to compete as a junior. In other words a Junior is a surfer who does not turn 19 between January 1st and December 31st of the year in which he is competing as a Junior. Proof of the age of a Junior competitor must be submitted with PASG team lists (a copy of passport or birth document is required).
Passports will be checked by the PASA prior to the start of the PASG.
Junior Surfers may surf in both the Open and Junior Divisions, and surfers may also surf in more than one discipline. It is therefore incumbent on nations when submitting lists in terms of Section 2 (2) hereof, to adequately identify surfers on their teams and the division/s in which they are to compete. It is highly recommended that teams avoid this situation if at all possible because it could hurt the team if the same competitor has 2 heats at the same time. It is to be noted that no special consideration will be afforded surfers competing in the Open and other Divisions, although in the case of back-to-back heats, time may be given for a competitor to return to the beach to change singlets if the contest format allows.

An Open Surfer is a surfer of any age. The amendment of team sizes is the prerogative of the Executive Committee and these may be amended at any meeting of the Executive Committee provided that such meeting takes place during the year preceding that in which the PASG are to be held,( or at any earlier meeting.)

4. Representation

A competitor can only represent a country if he/she holds a passport or documents of citizenship declaring eligibility for a passport of that country. Once a competitor has surfed for a country in a PASA Event he/she generally may not surf for another country at future Pan-American Surfing Games.
If an Athlete is allowed to represent a second nation based on the conditions set forth in paragraph “b” of the by law to rule outlined below, he/she may not change back to representing his/her original country.

Special exemptions may be considered however after representation to the Executive Committee at least 3 months prior to any PASA event. Requests for exemption will only be considered if received in writing through the affiliated NGB to the Executive Committee via PASA Headquarters, with certified copies of all relevant documentation (passport, letters from/to National Sports Organizations or Home Affairs Offices, etc) accompanying the representation.
By-Laws to rule
a.         A competitor who is a national of two or more countries at the same time may represent either one of them, as he/she may elect. However, after having represented one country in a PASA event, he/she may not represent another country unless he/she meets the conditions set forth in Paragraph b below that apply to persons who have changed their nationality or acquired a new nationality.

b.         A competitor who has represented one country in a PASA sanctioned event and who changes or who has changed nationality or acquired a new nationality, may participate in PASA sanctioned events to represent their new country provided that at least 18 months have passed since the competitor last represented their former country. This period may be reduced or even cancelled, with agreement of the PASA Executive Committee, which takes into account the circumstances of each case.

c.         If an associated State, province or country or colony acquires independence, if a country becomes incorporated within another country by reason of a change of border, if a country merges with another country, or if a new NGB is recognized by the PASA, the competitor may continue to;

*represent the country to which they belong or belonged. However, they may, if they prefer, elect to represent their new country or compete in PASA sanctioned events if selected by their new NGB if one exists. This particular choice may be made only once.

d.         Further more, in all cases which a competitor would be eligible to participate in PASA sanctioned events, either by representing another country than theirs or by having the choice as to the country which such competitor intends to represent, the PASA Executive Committee may take all decisions of a general or individual nature with regard to issues resulting from nationality, citizenship, domicile or residence of any competitor, including the duration of any waiting period.  

5. Hosting of Pan-American Surfing Games

Applications to host the PASG shall be made in writing and be submitted to the Executive Director. Such applications must be received in sufficient time to be included in the agenda of the Annual General Meeting held during a PASG. In the event of more than one application being received, the Executive may either defer a decision to the following meeting, or if it is expedient to do so, make a decision right away. If no applications are submitted in time for the AGM held during the PASG the Executive may allocate the rights to hold the event at the earliest time to a later bidder.

6. International Competition Age Groups

Applies to Surfers, Bodyboarders, and Longboarders:

      - Open Men: ................ Male of any age.

1. Open Women: ........... Female of any age
2. Junior: ....................... Boy or Girl under 18
3. Cadet: ........................ Boy or Girl under 16
4. Senior: ....................... Man or Woman over 28 and under 35
5. Master: ....................... Man or Woman over 35 and under 45
6. Veteran: ..................... Man or Woman over 45

Ages are taken from January 1st of the year of the event

1. Timing and Wave Counts

1. Recommended minimum heat times and wave counts:

HEATS
      Best 2 waves
      20-25 minute heats
FINALS
      Best 2 waves
      25-30 minute heats

These times are at the discretion of the Head Judge in consultation with the Contest Director. Heat times and wave counts must be made known to Team Managers by the Contest Director before contestants enter the water for their heat.

b) The Contest Director will consult with the Head Judge for a recommendation on heat times and wave counts. Any alteration during an event must be made known to Team Managers before surfers enter the water.

c) Official timing of all heats will be done by the commentator or in the absence of a commentator by the Head Judge.

d) A five minute visual and PA warning will be given when 5 minutes remain in a heat.

e) Siren or horn blasts must be used to start and finish heats. One blast to start and two blasts to finish. The Head Judge will indicate when a heat is to commence.

f) A large disc system at least 1 meter square must also be used. Green to start and yellow for the last 5 minutes.

g) The commentator must give a five second count-down at the beginning and end of each heat, and when he reaches zero the heat must start or end immediately.

h) The first of the two sirens must blow immediately when the commentator reaches zero. The official end of the heat is when the siren is first audible to the Head Judge, who will indicate to the judges that no more rides are to be scored for that heat. The siren takes precedence over the disc.

i) The colored disc must be in the neutral position with no color showing when the commentator reaches zero in the countdown. The disc must remain in the neutral position between heats.

j) In the event of siren failure the colored disc will be the indicator for heat timing.

k) During and at the end of a heat the surfer must be clearly in possession of the wave on the wave face, making a movement to stand, his hands having left the rails (rail grabs excluded) for the wave to be scored.

l) If the Contest Director wishes to use the minimum time delay between heats (of 10 seconds) he must provide a marshalling area in the water outside of the line up.

m) In the case of a water start the maximum time between heats shall be 2 minutes, unless unforeseen circumstances arise.

n) Under no circumstances will there be any time extensions once a heat has entered the water. If a heat is interrupted for any reason it will be stopped by the Head Judge and will be resumed at the time it was stopped, and will run for the originally set period. The only exception will be if the Head Judge, in consultation with other qualified officials, feels that the entire heat should be rerun because no surfer had a clear advantage at the time of cancellation, or if altered conditions make it impossible for judges to keep to the same scale.

o) In extreme conditions, heats with 5 competitors and for sub-20 minute heats, a surfer’s best 2 waves will determine results. In other heats the wave count will be decided upon as per Section 3.1(a).

p) It is a competitor’s responsibility to monitor the number of waves he has ridden. An attempt will be made to inform a competitor who has caught the maximum number of waves. If more than the maximum allowed numbers of waves are ridden within the time limit the surfer shall be penalized for each extra wave. In addition the surfer who remains in the water after catching the wave maximum will be penalized for interference if:

      i) He/she rides an extra wave that clearly deprives another competitor of an available ride
      ii) He/she interferes with any other competitor by paddling, positioning or some other reason.

This penalty might be a fine OR disqualification (OR both) for unsportsmanlike like conduct. In this case the surfer in questions team points will be deducted.

2. All heats are started from either a marshalling area in the line-up, or from the beach, under the Contest Director’s direction. The marshalling area in the line-up must be clear of the take-off area, and the Contest Director must demarcate the marshalling area by means of a buoy or other suitable method.

3. Where water starts are being used, competitors will be permitted to paddle out when there are 5 minutes left in the preceding heat, and will congregate in the marshalling area, well clear of competitors in the heat in progress. Surfers may only paddle towards the line-up only when the previous heat has ended. Any surfer entering the take-off area during the preceding heat may be
penalized. In extreme conditions the Contest Director may allow extra paddle time.

4. The Contest Director is the only person who can give an exact schedule of events. There will be no protest against incorrect information received from any other employee of the contest. If however the Contest Director gives incorrect information and a surfer subsequently misses a heat then a re-surf of that heat may take place.

5. The Contest Director must have an official notice board where the daily schedule and contest conditions are posted for all the competitors to see. This schedule must be posted by midday, at the latest, of each day and once posted it cannot be extended.

6. While the contest is in progress any unauthorized surfer in the competition area may be penalized This ruling also applies to clearing the water before the start of the day’s events.

7. Any surfer standing up and riding during the preceding heat may be penalized. Waves caught during the dead time between heats will not be scored. No penalty or fine is applicable during “dead time”.

8. Any surfer standing up after his heat and riding during the next heat may be fined, disqualified (or both) depending on the severity of the interference.

9. Anyone who is guilty of unsporting conduct or bringing a PASA event or the PASA itself into disrepute may be liable to disqualification at the discretion of the Executive Committee, after an emergency meeting on the recommendation of the Contest Director.

10. Heats will be made up of a maximum of 4 surfers except in the first round and repercharge rounds of any contest where 5 man heats may be surfed if circumstances so dictate. A minimum of 50% of the surfers in a round will advance to the following round.

11. The composition of the heats will be decided by the Contest Director after entries have closed. Composition of heats will be based on the seedings of entries, but if no seedings are available then known ratings or a random draw may be used. (If a random draw is used, it is recommended that a repercharge round is held after the first round).

12. The judges score sheets and the tabulator sheet may be scrutinized by competitors in the presence of their manager or coach after the conclusion of their heat and once the heat has been published by the Contest Director.

13. Competitors must wear the competition singlet/vest provided by the sponsors from time of issue until returned to the beach marshal at the completion of the heat, and if appropriate, during the awards presentation or a penalty may be imposed.

14. Competitors are responsible for ensuring they wear the correct colored contest singlet for a heat. A surfer in an incorrect color singlet/contest vest shall have no right to protest if the judges were unable to distinguish his/her rides from the other surfers in the heat.

15. There must be a minimum of 18 inches (0,5m) of wave height before surf can be deemed contestable. A special allowance may be made on the final scheduled day of an event, if the surf is rideable. This will be determined by the Contest Director and Head Judge.

16. In extreme conditions water caddies may be allowed to assist surfers at the discretion of the Contest Director in consultation with the Head Judge. Water caddies may only enter the water in a defined marshalling area determined by the Contest Director and the Head Judge. Surfers may only use equipment carried by their own caddy once the heat has started. If the caddy rides a wave the surfer he/she is caddying for may be penalized. If the caddy interferes with any of the other surfers in any way, an interference will be imposed on the surfer for whom he/she is caddying.

17. Any use of outside craft (rubber-duck, water patrol board, photographer’s boards, etc) will be deemed an interference if a surfer, after using one of them, re-enters the competition zone and rides a wave or interferes with any other competitor in any way. The only exception to this will be if the water patrol feels that the surfer is in a life-threatening situation, and in this case the surfer may be removed from the danger zone and placed in a safe area, no closer to the line-up, from which the surfer may continue the heat.

18. Protests

At times errors of a special nature may occur with respect to the running of the contest. This includes but is not limited to: heat timing, interference, adding errors, etc. Any competitor manager or team coach has the right to protest the result of a heat due to any of the above. Protests must be in writing and must be submitted to the Contest Director by the Team Manager or Team Coach within 15 minutes of the heat result being posted.

The merits of each protest will be considered by the Contest Director after consultation with the Head Judge. Qualified observers (off-duty judges, spotter, and senior officials) may be asked for their advice. The Contest Director will rule on the incident and inform the surfer’s manager of the decision in writing.

Note: No protest will be considered against a judging (scoring) decision which is irrevocable no matter what proof is available to show difference. Once a decision has been made by the judges or officials there is no form of protest. No judges are to be approached over a call or results or a penalty may be imposed on the individual concerned.

19. Water Photographers

Water photographers will only be allowed into the contest area after checking in with the Contest Director and signing a waiver. Only two photographers will be allowed in the line-up at a time and the minimum lens allowed is 135mm. They may not use hard boards for floatation and must wear helmets if available. The Contest Director and Head Judge may remove the photographers from the water if they deem fit.

1. Only sanctioned water photographers will be allowed in the water at PASA events. This access is to be controlled by the Head Judge and the Contest Director.

20. General

a) Under no circumstances may an event sponsor force contestants to wear any particular brand of trunks or wetsuits as a condition of their entry into any PASA sanctioned event.

b) All beach marshals must be English speaking.

c) All functions, meetings, etc. are to be held near the contest site and at a reasonable time.

d) All official meetings are compulsory for the appropriate persons.

22. Announcements

a) During the heat the announcer should not announce the computer scores or standard of ride until all the judges’ scores are entered into the system.

b) All announcements of interference must be conveyed to the announcer by the Head Judge or Contest Director before they can be announced publicly.

c) In all heats and finals computer scores must be given throughout the whole heat.

d) If a score is given by the commentator and it is wrong due to judges putting in the incorrect scores, the commentator giving the wrong score, or for any other reason, then the surfers will have no form of protest.

e) The announcer may not make any announcement or call any wave conditions (i.e. approaching outside sets, etc) that may benefit one contestant over another.

f) If any surfer requires information from the water during a heat they must use hand signals as described below:

      i) Time remaining is one hand touching another above the head
      ii) Wave count is one arm outwards horizontal to the water.
      iii) Scores, last scores, total, needed to win, etc is both arms out horizontal to the water.
      iv) If contestants hear and understand the above they must acknowledge by waving one arm.

23. Competitors Facilities

a) All events must have a well-secured sizeable competitor’s area that is clearly designated as a “Non-smoking” area.

b) The area will be available for competitors and team officials only.

c) It is recommended that the event supply a training area for competing surfers one hour before, during and after the day of competition for competitors only.

d) Where applicable, parking passes should be made available to Team Management.

e) Written information on accommodation and transport services relevant to the tournament should be provided.

f) Adequate supplies of drinking water must be available at the contest site.

g) Where possible, a masseur/chiropractor should be made available each day of the event.

h) A secured surfer’s storage and preparation area should be provided. Only competitors are permitted in this area. No guests, media, etc.

24. Specific Board Sizes

a) BODYBOARDS
Bodyboards will have the following attributes:

1. Will be flexible and shall include some portion of soft exterior skin.
2. Shall not exceed 5 feet in length.
3. The use of fins is optional.

b) LONGBOARDS
Board requirements:

1. Length is a minimum of 9 feet from the tip of the board in a straight line along its length.Width dimensions to be a minimum aggregate of 47 inches. That is the total of the widest point, plus the width 12 inches up from the tail and the width 12 inches back from the nose.
2. Traditional longboard Malibu shape to be used with use of multiple fins and channels allowed.
3. Board length measured using straight line along the deck.
4. “Nose Protection”, will not be accepted as part of the longboard. Any increase in size must be made with a rigid material as part of the shape of the longboard.

25. Double Elimination

In a double elimination contest, if the original schedule is not possible to complete, the rules are as follows:

a) If an interruption is not definite but makes it impossible to follow the original schedule, even if the heat times are reduced to the minimum as stipulated in the Rules, the repercharges will run until all competitors in this situation are in the same round. After that the winners will be brought back to the principal bracket which will continue without repercharges.

b) If it is impossible to continue with the competition, the points still to be decided will be divided among the competitors who are still in the competition. The surfers who are in the repercharge will be allocated half points.

Postponement of the competition beyond its original schedule will only be possible with the approval of the organizers, sponsors, and a 75% majority of the teams, which still have at least one athlete competing.

26. Team Surfing Rules “PASA Trophy”

A match will consist of registered teams, with five (5) surfers per team.
Four (4) men and one (1) woman in each round. Surfers may be substituted in subsequent rounds.
The top eight (8) to sixteen (16) teams from the results of the previous PASG Team Championships (not the previous Trophy result) will compete in the PASA Trophy.
Time will determine how many teams compete in the event and the decision on number of teams will be made by the Contest Director.

Four surfers will compete in each heat, each representing a separate team.

Each surfer must commence from behind a designated start line / area near the shoreline.

The team order of surfing cannot be changed once submitted at check in time. A surfer may only surf once. A power surfer must also be nominated.

Each surfer can catch a maximum of three (3) waves. Surfers must nominate two (2) of their three (3) waves as scoring, by raising both hands above their head before paddling out again. Once waves have been locked in, they cannot be changed. When a surfer has locked in two (2) rides they return to the shore, make contact with the designated beach marker, releasing the next surfer to catch their waves.

Team surfer must make contact with the beach marker to release the next team surfer.

Heat length will be sixty (60) minutes. (This may alter at the discretion of the Contest Director).

The official in charge designates the start line and beach marker.

Match final results will be calculated by the scoring computer.

Interference as per PASA Rules.

As a bonus each team will have a Power surfer. The power surfers have the added pressure of all three (3) rides counting in the team score. When an interference has been scored, a three (3) minute time penalty will be incurred by the team’s following surfer, who must wait the time penalty in the penalty box after the surfer in the water has made contact with the beach marker. In the case of the interfering surfer being the last team member, the team’s set time will be reduced by the time penalty.

In the event of an interference the Head Judge may award a replacement wave within the heat time period to the surfer who has had their scoring potential hindered. The surfer will be notified of the option of the replacement wave by PA announcement.

Surfers may release their board at the water’s edge when returning to the beach marker.

All team members are not required to be present in the finishing area.

Penalties:
      · Surfer competes out of turn 5 points
      · Surfer catches more than wave limit 5 points
      · Interference 3 minute penalty
      · Non completion of wave limit within time 5 point

27. CONTEST FORMATS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CONTEST FORMAT TABLES OF PASA COMPETITIONS

1. Basic Rules

a) The surfer deemed to have the inside position for a wave has unconditional right of way for the entire duration of that ride. Interference will be called if during a ride a majority of judges feel that a fellow competitor has possibly hindered the scoring potential of that surfer deemed to have right of way on the wave.

b) Anyone who stands up in front of (or takes off in front of) a surfer with right of way has the opportunity to ride or kick out of the wave without being called interference, unless he hinders the scoring potential of the surfer with right of way by any means, including excessive hassling, legrope pulling, breaking a wave section or any other unsportsmanlike behaviour.


2. Right of Way

Wave possession or right of way will vary slightly under the following conditions as determined by the nature of the contest venue, but basically it is the responsibility of the judge to determine which surfer holds the inside position based on whether the wave is a superior right or left but never on which surfer is first to their feet. If at the initial point of take-off neither the right nor left can be deemed superior, then the right of way will go to the first surfer who makes a definite turn in their chosen direction.

a) Point Break
When there is only one available direction on any given wave, the surfer on the inside shall have unconditional right of way for the entire duration of that wave.

b) One Peak Break (Reef or Beach)
If there is a single well defined peak with both a left and a right available, at the initial point of take-off and neither the right nor left can be deemed superior then the right of way will go to the first surfer who make a definite turn in their chosen direction (by making an obvious right or left turn). A second surfer may go in the opposite direction on the same wave without incurring a penalty, providing they do not interfere with the first surfer who has established right of way (i.e. they may not cross the path of the first surfer in order to gain the opposite side of the peak unless they do so without possibly hindering, in the majority of judges opinion, the inside surfer).

c) Beach Break with multiple, random peaks
In these conditions, wave possession may vary slightly according to the nature of an individual wave:
      i) With two Peaks, there will be cases where one swell will have two separate, defined peaks far apart that eventually meet at some point.
Although two surfers may each have inside position on those respective peaks, the surfer who is first to their feet shall be deemed to have wave possession and the second surfer must give way by cutting back or kicking out before hindering the right of way surfer.

      ii) If two surfers stand at the same time on two separate peaks that eventually meet, then:
            a. If they both give way by cutting back or kicking out, so that neither is hindered, there will be no penalty.

            b. If they cross paths and collide or hinder one another, the judges will penalize the surfer who has been the aggressor at the point of contact.

            c. If neither surfer gives way, by cutting back or kicking out and both share responsibility for the confrontation, then a double interference will be called.


3. The Right of Way Criteria

The choice of right of way criteria for each of the above possible situations is the responsibility of the Head Judge or the available Senior Judge in that order.


4. Snaking

a) The surfer who is furthest inside at the initial point of take-off and has established wave possession is entitled to that wave for the duration of their ride, even though another surfer may subsequently take off in the white water behind them. The judges will not penalize the surfer even though they are in front because they have right of way.

b) If the second surfer has not hindered the original surfer with right of way, then the judges may choose not to penalize him/her and will score both surfers’ rides.

c) A surfer may not take off on the opposite side of a broken wave peak to gain possession of the opposite wave face, when a surfer has already established possession on the inside of the peak. An interference will be called if the majority of the judges feel that the surfer surfing/riding from behind the broken peak has hindered the scoring potential of the surfer who has established possession of the inside of the broken peak.

d) If in the opinion of the judges, the second surfer has interfered with (snaked) the original surfer with right of way, by causing them to pull out or lose the wave, then interference shall be called on the second surfer, even though they are behind the first when the penalty is called.


5. Paddling Interference

a) In four or more person heats a surfer who has inside position should not be excessively hindered by another surfer paddling for the same wave. Paddling interference may be called if:
      i) The offending surfer makes contact with or forces the inside surfer to change their line while paddling to catch the wave causing possible loss of scoring potential.
      ii) The offending surfer obviously causes a section to break down in front of the inside surfer which would not normally have done so and thereby causing loss of scoring potential.
      iii) When a surfer is put in a position while paddling out that they cannot get out of the way and a collision happens due to this, it is up to a majority of the judges to call interference based on whether it is felt to be accidental or not.


6. Interference Penalty

a) Riding Interference If a majority of judges call a riding interference, then that particular wave will count in the final tally of counting waves as a zero score for the offending surfer. Three of the five judges must call interference to be considered a majority. Interference will be shown on each judge’s scoreboard, as a triangle placed around the score with an arrow drawn to the rider’s score who was interfered on.

b) Paddling Interference If a majority of judges call a paddling interference, then that surfer will lose the score for the lowest of his/her scoring waves (ie. It will be scored as a zero). If a surfer has less than the required minimum scoring rides and receives an interference then they will be scored on one less wave, i.e. if they have caught only three waves and the best four count then only their best two will be scored. Three of the five judges must call interference to be considered a majority. Interference will be shown on each judge’s scoreboard as a triangle placed above their score if they ride a wave but cause interference while paddling for that wave ridden, or between scores if caused by paddling but not riding, with an arrow drawn to the rider’s score who was interfered on.

c) Additional wave interference Any surfer who has caught their wave maximum, and remains in the contest area, and in any way prevents a competitor still competing from catching a wave, or hinders the scoring potential of a competitor riding a wave may be fined or disqualified or both depending on the severity of the interference.(team points will be lost.)

d) A Head Judge or Contest Director may be included, and in this case an interference would be determined on three of six judging sheets.

e) Any interfering surfer must be penalized and a decision once made is irrevocable with the judges not entering into any discussion over the interference call. All discussions must be directly with the Head Judge.

f) The surfer who is interfered with, will be allowed an additional wave, beyond their ten, twelve or fifteen wave maximum, within the prescribed time limit. Exception to this is a double interference where neither surfer gets an extra wave. An extra wave or heat delay as decided by the Head Judge at the time will also apply to interference from water photographers, water security personnel or other outside interferences.

g) Where any surfer incurs two or more interference penalties they must leave the competition immediately. Failure to do so may result in a fine and/or disqualification. In the case of disqualification, team point will be afected.

h) An interference call will be announced only once approval has been received from the Head Judge or Contest Director. This announcement must be made during the heat.

i) The Contest Director will also notify Team Officials of the interference over the PA at the end of the heat.

1. Criteria to be used in judging : “The surfer must perform committed radical manoeuvres in the most critical sections of a wave with style, power and speed to maximise scoring potential. Innovative and progressive manoeuvres will be taken into account when rewarding surfers for committed surfing. The surfer who executes this criteria with the highest degree of difficulty and most control on the best wave shall be rewarded with the highest score.”

Longboard criteria: “Longboards will be judged on a combination of traditional and modern manoeuvres with skill being the major factor.”

Bodyboard criteria: This shall be based on the criteria above with regard to the manner of bodyboarding (prone, drop-knee or standing).


2. Judging panels for each heat will consist of five judges who will rotate from a larger judging panel. A panel of seven judges is the minimum necessary to conduct an event on a full-time basis. The judging panel roster should not require any judge to judge for more than 3 heats without a break. Each judging panel will officiate under the control and discretion of a Head Judge whose duties are more fully described in Section 6.


3. Judges must check in with the Head Judge at least 15 minutes prior to the heat starting times. This allows time to get a realistic view of the waves, and the surfing standard.


4. The number of the Judge, and heat number must be clearly entered on the judging sheet.

5. If a score is not clear or is incorrect and is authorized to be changed, it must be lined through and the correct score inserted in the next block. All alterations must be initialed by the Judge concerned

6. Judges must not tally the sheet and must hand in the sheet promptly at the end of the heat.


7. Each judge must give 100% effort. Maximum concentration is essential to ensure personal bias is eliminated and that top efficiency is reached.


8. Judges must score every wave ridden by every competitor.


9. Wave scoring will be done from zero (0) to ten(10) broken into one tenth increments.

10. Judges are responsible for ruling on interference situations as described in Section 4.


11. Judges should be visually separated and it is the responsibility of the Head Judge to ensure that judges do not discuss wave scores or interference calls.

12. Judges may not change their scores or interference calls either on the computer terminal or on manual sheets. In the event that a mistake has been made, the judge must inform the Head Judge who will authorize the amendment. The Judge must sign any changes/alterations. In the case of the computer judging system, only the Head Judge can change a score in the system.

13. If a judge misses a wave or part of a wave he must place an “M” in the block on the sheet, and inform the Head Judge, who will give a score based on a comparison of previous rides and other judge’s sheets. The score must be initialled by the Head judge.


14. The judges used in the finals will be those who have shown the highest degree of consistency over the contest.


15. Judges who have finished their rostered events are to remain on hand in the administration area until their last heat has been tallied, and until protests can no longer be lodged.


16. Judges must wait till the completion of the tabulators work before checking the completed Tally Sheets.


17. No judge may pass comment on a surfer’s chances in any event, to the public, media, or contestants, or that judge may be dismissed from the panel and other action may be taken by the Contest Director.


18. Judging statistics will be compiled daily. (Detailed in Section 7). Any judge who proves to be inconsistent will be dropped from the judging panel and assigned to other contest duties (eg: spotter).This can take place at any time and be enforced by the Contest Director on the recommendation of the Head Judge.


19. At times, errors of a special nature occur with respect to judging. This includes timing and judges scores. At his discretion the Contest Director may consult with those qualified observers (defined as head judge, judges, off-duty judges, spotters, or other officials) who may have witnessed the incident in question, and who will rule on these special circumstances case by case.


20. Judging Tower/Area
The Contest Director and Head Judge will be responsible for the application of this rule.

a) The Judges, spotter, announcer and Head Judge must have unrestricted view of the full width of the wave being surfed by the competitor at all times.

b) Side on view or a view that does not give the judges an accurate or appropriate perspective of the wave is not acceptable.

c) If a fixed structure (podium) is in place, this podium (or podiums) must be erected in consultation with the Contest Director and Head Judge.

d) If a contest is moved the judges must be positioned at the vantage point that allows them best viewing of the wave being surfed – even if this requires temporary structures to be positioned on the beach.

e) The judges must be provided with a suitable weatherproof protective shelter.

f) If possible, judges must be visually separated from each other.

The standard of the judging panel is based solely on the individuals’ qualifications. Politics, country of origin and personal likes or dislikes should become irrelevant if the Judge does his/her job properly.

1. Before Judging
Judges must make sure to take part in the pre-event meeting to establish the criteria and rules that will be used. Judges must be at the Judges’ tower punctually. This means one heat before the first heat, so that conditions can be checked. All judges must be available at all times, be prepared for all conditions and if necessary bring sweaters, towels, pants and a coat in case of rain. The judges must know the rules and be able to implement them in any situation. Judges should study the Judging criteria and make sure they understand and can interpret the criteria accurately.

2. Judging
The zero to ten point scoring system used by the PASA is broken up into the following categories:

      - 0-2 Poor
      - 2.5-4 Fair
      - 4.5-5.5 Average
      - 6-7.5 Good
      - 8-10 Excellent

Note:

a) Judges should refer to this to establish accurate scores for the first wave exchanges.

b) Wave scoring is broken into one tenth increments eg:0.2 – 10 (ten) eg:7.3

c) Judges should try to remember all scoring waves so as to avoid judging higher as the heat continues.

d) The last wave exchanges should be judged based on the same criteria as the first wave exchanges .The first wave scored sets the standard for the heat and should remain in the judges mind as the benchmark for that level of performance.

e) Individual wave scores are what the judge should concentrate on and the final outcome of the heat should be based on scoring waves.

f) As no surfer rides any wave in the same way, judges should try hard to differentiate between all scoring waves.

g) Judges should not deliberate but should put a score down after the ride is completed.

h) During the heat, wave counts should be called as frequently as possible while the contestants are NOT riding. Repeat wave counts regularly.

i) Judges must avoid being influenced by the spectators, commentators or by friendships and other outside influences and should have the confidence to stand by their decisions.

j) During the heat, opinions should not be shared with other judges.


3. Judging in Bad Conditions

Many events are held in marginal conditions. All events can suffer from poor conditions or surf, so judges must be able to adjust. In poor surf they should concentrate on surfers who are utilising the power on the wave. Judges should observe how each manoeuvre is being linked directly to another (rail to rail turns through the flat sections should be distinguished from hopping all the way to the next section). Establish if the surfer is generating/creating enough speed out of turns. Good judges notice which surfers are completing each wave flawlessly, with major, well executed maneuvers.

Note: In poor conditions there are normally fewer waves. Low scores may be counted in the final tabulation.


4. Judging Heavy Heats

Difficult heats should be accepted by a judge as a challenge. This means judging methodically, being extremely critical, watching details and mentally picturing the whole wave. In every contest there will always be some heats that are more difficult than others either because they are the first heat of the day, due to deteriorating conditions or a close heat. This is when the top Judges come to the forefront. The following factors should be considered when analysing each wave in such heats:

      a) Where was the first maneuver executed?
      b) How well was it executed?
      c) How well were the maneuvers connected together?
      d) Did the surfer execute rail to rail turns through the flat sections or did he just hop all the way
          through the flat sections or through to the next section?
      e) How did the outside maneuvers compare to the inside maneuvers?
      f) How deep was the surfer at the initial point of take-off?
      g) How did the surfer utilize the wave?
      h) Did the surfer make sections and were the maneuvers functional?
      i) Was the maneuver completed with control?

A comparison between the first scoring wave and the last scoring wave in a heat is extremely important. Inexperienced judges tend to overscore last waves as they forget or ignore what has taken place during a heat and this can affect the result. This is an area where less experienced judges can learn from more experienced judges. Experienced judges have the ability to concentrate on what is happening in the heats as well as on details such as a paddling interference and so on.

5. General

a) 100% Concentration is the key. It is not good enough to put each score down correctly but judges should also assist the Head Judge with wave and interference calls. In such heats, the ability to score the wave instinctively and to allocate the score automatically at the end of the ride is of utmost importance.

b) When several competitors are riding at the same time, it is important to watch everyone. However, it is essential that focus be on more critical areas such as the take-off point, the first manoeuvre and other outside manoeuvre. This is where the surfer’s greatest scoring potential will occur. The beginning of a wave is far more important therefore when at least two surfers are riding concentration should be allocated according to each surfer’s scoring potential. The surfer’s scoring potential at the end of the wave is obviously much lower. It is important to put scores down as quickly as possible.

c) Continuous wave counts should be called and if unsure about a score only the Head Judge should be asked for assistance NOT a fellow panel judge.

6. Judging Panel – PASG

a) Top ranking professional judges will be hired by PASG Contest Organizers and ratified by PASA Executive Committee as Head Judges.
b) The Contest Director and Head Judge are responsible for selecting the appropriate judges for the finals.
c) Not more than one judge from any given country is to be on the judging panel at the same time. This does not include the Head Judge. If any country has more than one judge on the panel, then the second best must be removed and replaced by the top 9th, 10th, etc.
d) All judges to be appointed by the PASA after applications are submitted to the PASA by the NGB. A selection panel recommends the judging panel based on professional, international and national criteria. The Executive Committee of PASA will make the final decision on the list.

1. Method (Manual)

This only applies to contests where there is no computer system supplied. The PASA computer system generates statistical analysis of judging performance based on average scores and not on placings given by a judge.

a) The level of accuracy of judge is measured by comparing the placings given by a judge in a particular heat against the actual placings in the heat.

b) The evaluation is made on all the competitors in the heat from first place to last place.

c) A perfect score is a zero and is awarded to a judge who has correctly placed all the competitors in the heat.

d) One point is added to a Judge’s score for each place error he has made. In other words, if the judge’s placing is subtracted from the actual placing – or vice versa as the case may be – the difference is the Judge’s degree of error.

e) The judge’s score is then entered in the appropriate column on the Tabulation Sheet and then recorded on the Judge’s Record Sheet. A Judge’s accuracy is then calculated by dividing his score by the number of heats that he has judged. This result gives the average number of place errors per heat judged. In making this evaluation, the number of heats judged by each judge should not vary by more than 10%.

f) Judging Record Sheet:

Maximum possible errors (MPE)
      i) 3 man heat = 4 possible errors
      ii) 4 man heat = 8 possible errors

g) Judging statistics must be compiled daily. Any judge who proves to be inconsistent will be dropped from the judging panel and designated other duties (eg. Beach marshal, spotter). This can take place at any time and will be enforced by the Contest Director on the recommendation of the Head Judge and Technical Director.


2. Record Keeping (judging record and analysis sheet)

a) The judging analysis sheet is compiled from the statistics on the judging record sheet. By using the maximum possible errors (MPE) within the calculations the statistics are weighted with the heat sizes judged which in theory allows greater opportunity of error. The % correct supported by the number of heats judged will decide the winning judge.

b) Formula for evaluating judging performance

      Average = Errors
                      Heats

      % Errors = Errors * 100%
                              MPE

IN THE CASE OF THE PASG.

a) To set up a meeting of the PASG Judges on the day before the event begins.
This should be done in consultation with the Contest Director and Host Country.. Such meeting will be for the purpose of instruction, standardization of procedures and methods as well as the setting up a series of Judging Trials during which the Judges’ ability will be tested and evaluated. The Head Judge is empowered to convene a meeting of all Judges at any time of the contest. The purpose of these meetings will be to update Judges on any changes, and to point out any recurring errors so as to improve performance.

b) Judges whose ability is found to be sub-standard in the opinion of the Head Judge and Contest Director will be removed from the Judging panel and will not be permitted to judge during the event.

c) The Head Judge will organise the remaining Judges into Judging Panels so that Judges will only judge a maximum of three consecutive heats.

d) The Head Judge will frequently scrutinize the Judges’ sheets and will identify those Judges who do not maintain an acceptable judging standard including of the evaluation interference’s. He will report these Judges to the Contest Director and a decision will be taken whether to drop the Judge or not.

e) While heats are in progress the Head Judge will scrutinize Judges’ score sheets to ensure the maintenance of uniform standards between one heat and the next and the use by the Judges of the full range of scoring options. In addition, the Head Judge will ensure that the interference rule is fairly and consistently applied. If the need should arise to inform a Judge that his standards are not compatible with the other officiating Judges, such action would only be taken by the Head Judge between the end of one heat and the commencement of the next heat.

The Head Judge may not give guidelines on what points or scores judges should allocate to waves ridden by any surfer and may not influence any judge on the panel to alter a score or change a decision.  The Head Judge’s role is not to influence the scoring by judges, but rather to coach, mentor, supervise, control and coordinate. The Head Judge is there to ensure the smooth running of each heat.

f) The Head Judge will be responsible for maintaining a wave count record for each heat and ensuring that colours are adequately identified for the judges.

g) The wave count may be done by the spotter.

h) The Head Judge must adjudicate on the missed waves and determine the appropriate score.

i) It is the Head Judges’ responsibility to attempt to notify any surfer who has been interfered with, that he/she has an extra wave. Notification will be made on the public address (PA) system. The onus is on the surfer to monitor his/her own wave count.

j) Judges all receive certificates of participation