Judging Criteria

Updated: Feb 2023

All competitors must be a member of a surf club affiliated to Surfing England, Welsh Surfing Federation, Scottish Surfing Federation  or the Channel Islands.

For age limited divisional entries;

•             U16’s and U18’s must be of or under those respective ages before the 1st January of the year of competition.
•             Also, Masters (40yrs) and GrandMasters (50yrs) must be over those respective ages before the 1st  January of the year of competition.

Judging Criteria : Open & All Other Divisions

The Surfer must perform controlled maneuvers in the critical part of the wave utilizing the entire board and wave using traditional longboard surfing. The Surfer who performs this to the highest degree of difficulty with the most style, flow and grace will receive the highest score for a ride.

Further to the above, the following are key elements for Judges to consider: 

  • Nose riding and rail surfing 
  • The critical part of the wave 
  • Variety 
  • Speed and power 
  • Commitment 
  • Control 
  • Footwork
 

It’s important to note that the emphasis of certain elements is contingent upon the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes in conditions during the day. 

For this category surfers must ride board length of 9’0″ or longer. This can be a single fin, tri-fin or twin fin.

To enter any BLU you must be a member of Surfing England or a local surf club for insurance purposes.

The following scale may be used to describe a ride that is scored: 0–1.9 = Poor; 2.0–4.9 = Fair; 5.0–6.4 = Good; 6.5–7.9 = Very Good; 8.0–10.0 = Excellent.

Judging Criteria : Single Fin

The Single Fin surfer must perform a variety of traditional manoeuvres in the critical sections of the wave with continual motion, style and grace. The surfer must display good control of the logger board with emphasis on visual appeal, creativity, style and flow linking all manoeuvres over the entire duration of the ride. The use of clean footwork and nose riding will be important elements in the judges decision making.”  
  • Hang tens
  • Hang heels
  • Hang fives 
  • Cross Stepping and Reverse Walks  
  • Bottom turns 
  • Lay back cutbacks  
  • Fade take offs  
  • Late take offs 
  • Roundhouse cutbacks 
  • Drop Knee Cutbacks 
  • Stall and Trim  
  • Barrels  
  • Cover Ups 
  • Hawaiian Pullout  
  • On Deck 360’s, Head Stands, Coffins, Beach Step Offs, Back Arches
The following scale may be used to describe a ride that is scored: 0–1.9 = Poor; 2.0–4.9 = Fair; 5.0–6.4 = Good; 6.5–7.9 = Very Good; 8.0–10.0 = Excellent. The Single Fin division is open to everyone. For this category surfers must ride a single fin set up only. Board length should be 9’6″ or longer. No side bite boxes. For Under 18’s the board should be 9’1″ or longer with a single fin set up only. No side bite boxes. To enter any BLU you must be a member of either Surfing England, Welsh Surf Federation, Scottish Surfing Federation or the Jersey Surfing Federation.