(a) The Surfboard Riding rules in this Section apply to the Short Board, Long Board Riding and Surf Team events. Surfing Australia is acknowledged for assistance in some of the SLSA Surf Board Riding rules.
(b) The Short Board and the Long Board Riding are to be conducted as separate and distinct events.
(c) While the general conditions and scoring system for the two events are the same, the judging of the wave riding criteria is different.
(d) Short Boards – The restriction for the type of craft that can be used in the surfboard riding event is a surfboard that has a maximum length of less than 2.74m (9 feet) measured from the nose to tail on the deck of the surfboard. SLSA at this time does not impose further specifications on this type of surfboard other than the maximum length permissible to compete in this event. However, the Referee has the authority to declare a surfboard ineligible for a competition if the surfboard is considered dangerous to the competitor or other competitors in the competition.
(e) Long Boards – The specifications for surfboards used in this event are:
- (i) A minimum length of 2.74m (9 feet) measured from the nose to tail on the deck of the surfboard.
- (ii) Minimum width dimensions to total 1194mm (47 inches) aggregate i.e. the total of the widest point, plus the width 305mm (12 inches) up from the tail and the width 305mm (12 inches) back from the nose.
- (iii) The shape of the long board is to be traditional and may include multiple fins and channels, but cannot include add on tail or nose blocks.
(f) In addition, the Referee has the authority to declare a Long Board ineligible for a competition if the surfboard is considered dangerous to the competitor or other competitors in the event.
(g) Venue – The competition venue shall be determined by the relevant SLSA authority organising the competition in conjunction with the Referee.
Note 1: Alternative venues shall also be selected in case the surfboard riding conditions at the nominated venue are not suitable on the day of the competition.
Note 2: Where the surf conditions are not suitable to conduct the competition it may be cancelled or postponed to another day at the discretion of the Referee.
(h) Officials – The officials required for the conducting of Surfboard Riding Competitions will be as follows: Referee, Area/Sectional Referee, Referee Steward, Marshall, Judges (scorers, timekeeper, talliers and wave spotter/s).
Note 1: If necessary, Accredited Judges from recognised surfing organisations may be invited to officiate provided that they judge under the rules of SLSA.
Note 2: In competitions where there are a large number of entrants it is permissible to conduct more than one competition area concurrently. In such circumstances additional judging personnel shall be required.
(i) Water Safety – The main requirement of water safety at any Surfboard Riding Competition shall be one IRB/Jet Ski and crew. The IRB and crew shall act under the direction of the Referee to assist competition where necessary and to ensure there is no outside interference or unauthorised encroachment on the competition course.
(j) Competitors may use leg ropes and hand webs. Wetsuits and board shorts or other items may be worn at the Referee’s discretion provided that the identification of the distinguishing colours of competitors is not impaired.
Note: It is permissible for competitors to wear wrist watches in Surfboard Riding competition.
(k) Competitors shall wear distinctive coloured rash shirts/vests to assist with identification for judging purposes. Such apparel will be supplied by SLSA and should be of distinctive colours and suitable to wear in the water.
(l) Replacement of damaged or lost boards is permitted during a round. Club members shall be permitted to assist a competitor in replacing the damaged or lost board, but only to the extent of placing the replacement board at the water’s edge.