What are the rules in Olympic surfing?
Surfers perform maneuvers and tricks on a wave for 20-35 minutes, depending on conditions. There is no limit to the number of waves a surfer can catch. How does scoring work? Five judges analyze the surfers’ performances and score each wave on a scale of 1-10, with two decimal places. Judges evaluate each surfer’s performance on a wave based on several criteria, including: Speed, power, and flow: How smoothly and dynamically a surfer navigates the wave. Commitment and degree of difficulty: The risk level and technicality of maneuvers.In general, the surfer who is closest to the peak has priority or right of way. In other words, whoever is deeper gets the wave, because they can ride it the longest, and in most cases, they can get to their feet first.
What is the first rule of surfing?
Rule 1: Don’t drop or paddle in on a wave another surfer is already riding. You should not drop or paddle in on a wave other surfers are already riding or waiting while on a surf session; remember the closest someone to the wave, is the one who gets to ride it. Dropping in’ is the cardinal sin in the surfing world. As a beginner surfer you need to be extremely aware of anyone around you. If you see someone else already on the wave that you want, then too bad…it’s theirs.
How does scoring work in surfing?
Each wave they ride will be scored by five judges on a scale from 0. The best and worst score for each wave will be dropped, and the average of the other three judges will determine the official score for that wave. Each surfer’s two best scoring waves are added together to determine their heat total (out of a possible 20 points). The surfer with the highest score in each heat is the winner of that heat. Scores do not carry over to the next round of competition.The judges’ highest and lowest scores for each wave are thrown out and the surfer is given the average of the remaining three scores. A surfer’s two highest-scoring waves are combined for an overall total. A perfect ride is 10 points, so a perfect heat is 20 points.
What wave has killed the most surfers?
Pipeline, Hawaii Pipeline has killed more surfers than anywhere. Since 1989 it has taken the lives of seven surfers, and threatened the lives of countless others. Pipeline – Hawaii Pipeline is the ultimate proving ground for surfers. It has also killed more surfers than any other wave on the planet, with seven fatalities since 1989 and countless other injuries. The most recent major incident occurred in February 2025.