Wave Riding Expression Session Format and Judging Guidelines

Wave-riding will be judged on overall impression based on performance during all heats.

Surfers should consider wave selection, exceptional turns and positioning, style, aerials barrel-rides and exceptional maneuvers, unhooked riding where it contributes to increased performance, milking the wave’s energy for extra long rides, and variety of moves.

The objective is to reward progressive kite-surfing and to apply a reward system based on demonstrating variety of repertoire and linking maneuvers together, still in the critical sections of the wave, in a seamless flow of power and speed.

A surfer must perform radical controlled maneuvers in the critical section of the wave to maximize scoring potential.

Innovative /progressive surfing as well as variety of repertoire (maneuvers) will be taken into consideration

The surfer who executes this criteria with the maximum degree of difficulty and commitment on the waves shall be rewarded.

All kite-surfing styles will be scored equally no matter what the wave riding style / board style / kite style or line length

Degree of difficulty will be considered, for example unstrapped / unhooked riding will be rewarded as requiring higher skill

Aerials shall only be rewarded if:

1. they are landed in the wave zone defined by the crest and the bottom of the wave (bottom defined as the zone in which a powerful bottom turn would be performed); or

2. they are performed on a surfboard going out through the waves (aerials going out on a twin tip are not rewarded).  The degree of difficultly will depend on strapped/unstrapped.

Right of Way Rules

There is no absolute right of way - All riders should take any action necessary to avoid a collision.

The first rider on the face of a wave has right of way. This may override the starboard tack rule.

When two riders are on opposite tacks, the port tack rider shall alter course and/or kite position in order to keep clear of the starboard tack rider who should maintain the same course and speed.

When two or more riders are on the same tack with kite lines overlapped, the upwind rider(s) shall keep their kite high and the downwind rider(s) keep their kite low.

When two riders are on the same tack and are not overlapped, the rider behind shall ensure the rider ahead is aware of the rider approaching from behind.

Never deliberately maneuver into a right of way position so that it interferes with another water user. If you are behind another kite heading into the beach, turn early to allow the lead rider plenty of room to turn. Always check for other water users before water-starting, jibing, re-launching a kite or recovering a board.

A rider shall not jump if there is any danger of possible collision with another rider.

Wave Riding Priority

When two surfers are on waves, the upwind competitor shall keep clear of the downwind competitor.

Any competitor riding a wave has right of way over non-wave-riding competitors.

A competitor shall not alter course in a manner which does not allow another competitor to keep clear.

Wave priority belongs to the first competitor on the swell line. Other competitors cannot gybe or drop in to a wave which already has competitor on it (no snaking or dropping in)

If two competitors begin riding a swell simultaneously, the competitor closest to the break (usually upwind) has priority of the wave.
A competitor shall avoid contact with other competitors if reasonably possible.   However, a right of way competitor or one entitled to room shall stay clear of a competitor not in control.   

A competitor relaunching a kite has no right of way and shall not intentionally interfere with other competitors.  Also, they have little control so other competitors should stay clear.

In all cases, the windward kite high; the leeward kite low rule applies.

Do not block or intentionally disturbing the flow of competition in an unsafe or unsportsmanlike manner.