What equipment rules are there in competitive surfing, and can a surfer get help in the water?
Officials' detail · Ties and procedures · 1 of 1A leash is compulsory, the correct coloured vest must be worn and no device may link the surfer to a coach. A surfer may have one caddy holding a spare board in a marked area. Using any other craft, such as a jet ski or someone else's board, is outside assistance and means disqualification from the rest of the heat.
How it works
- Leash: "All contestants are to use a leash / legrope while competing or practicing within the confines of the contest site".
- Vest: the correct coloured contest vest, worn from collection before the heat to its return afterwards.
- No radio: the ISA prohibits any mechanical or electronic audio device, megaphones included, "that links a competitor in the action of competing with another party".
- One caddy: at most one for each surfer, in a marshalling area set by the contest director and head judge.
- A caddy who rides or interferes: the surfer is fined for each wave and given an interference penalty.
- Outside assistance: using inflatable boats, water patrol boards, jet skis, photographers' craft or another surfer's or caddy's board.
- The penalty: the surfer "will be disqualified from the remainder of the heat".
- Rescue: if the water patrol judges a surfer to be in a life-threatening situation, it may move them to a safe place no closer to the take-off zone, and they may continue.
- Running round: a surfer who runs up the beach to get back out must carry their own board.
- No caddy: the surfer returns to the beach, boat or buoy holding their spare boards to change over.
- Approved jet skis: at some events the use of personal watercraft to carry surfers back out is approved in advance, with its own priority rules.
- Broken board and priority: priority is suspended while a surfer goes for replacement equipment.
The glossary has the leash, the board, the priority entry, the interference penalties entry, the lineup and the heat.
Tricky cases
A surfer's board snaps. Can they take one from a team-mate who has finished an earlier heat?
Not that surfer's board in the water. Using a previous or current heat surfer's board is outside assistance. The spare must come from their own caddy or from the beach.
A lifeguard on a jet ski pulls a surfer out of the impact zone. Is the surfer disqualified?
No, if the water patrol judged it life-threatening. The surfer may be put in a safe place no closer to the take-off zone and continue.
A coach shouts instructions from the beach. Is that banned?
The rule read bans mechanical and electronic audio devices, megaphones included. It does not mention an unaided voice.
A caddy catches a wave in to the beach after handing over the spare board. What happens?
The surfer they caddy for is fined and given an interference penalty.
Why the rule exists
The paddle back out is part of the contest: it costs time and strength, and a tow would save both. So help is banned unless it is given to everyone under approved rules. The leash is a safety rule for other people, since a loose board in the surf is a hazard to everyone in the water.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Competition and practice at the contest site | Leash compulsory | ISA, Leash / Legrope Policy a |
| Free surfing | Leash at the rider's discretion | ISA, Leash / Legrope Policy b |
| Events with approved personal watercraft | Tows back out allowed for all | ISA, PWC Guidelines b |
| Longboard and stand-up paddle | Board length and design rules | ISA, equipment rules, not read |
From the rule book
International Surfing Association, Rulebook and Contest Administration Manual (30 July 2026), Contest Singlet/Vest, Leash / Legrope Policy, Mechanical / Electronic Communication Devices, PWC Guidelines and the rules on caddies and outside assistance. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISA Rule Book, July 2026 (PDF).