What makes a high-scoring wave in surfing?
I · Intermediate · The heat and the score · 1 of 4Five things on a shortboard: commitment and degree of difficulty, new and progressive manoeuvres, the combination of major manoeuvres and their variety. The fifth is speed, power and flow. How much each matters depends on the waves that day. Longboard surfing is judged on different elements, such as nose riding, footwork and control.
How it works
- Shortboard elements: "Commitment and Degree of Difficulty", "Innovative and Progressive Maneuvers", "Combination of Major Maneuvers", "Variety of Maneuvers" and "Speed, Power and Flow".
- Depends on the day: "the emphasis of certain elements is contingent upon the location and the conditions on the day".
- And on the hour: the emphasis may change as conditions change during the day.
- Longboard: controlled manoeuvres "in the critical section of the wave utilizing the entire board".
- Longboard elements: nose riding and rail surfing, the critical section of the wave, variety, speed and power, commitment, control and footwork.
- Longboard style: the highest score goes to the surfer who does this "with the most style, flow and grace".
- Stand-up paddle surfing: the shortboard elements, plus use of the paddle.
- Aerial events: judged on height, technicality, style and control among other things.
- Not a count: nothing in the criteria rewards the number of manoeuvres by itself.
- Compared within the heat: the panel sets its scale from the waves ridden in that heat.
The glossary has the wave selection entry, the ride, the aerial, the barrel, the cutback, the judges and the score.
Tricky cases
A surfer does six small turns on an easy part of the wave. Another does two big ones in the steepest part. Who scores higher?
Most likely the second. Commitment, difficulty and power in the critical part of the wave are what the criteria name.
A surfer falls at the end of a great ride. Is it still scored?
Yes, the ride is scored. The criteria read do not say how an incomplete final manoeuvre is treated, and judges generally score what was completed.
Is a ride inside the barrel a manoeuvre?
The criteria do not list manoeuvres by name. A barrel ride is judged under the same elements: commitment, difficulty and flow.
Are the criteria the same at the Olympic Games?
The ISA governs Olympic surfing, but the regulations for the Games themselves were not read.
Why the rule exists
Surfing criteria are written as qualities, not as a list of tricks with values, because the wave decides what is possible. A powerful turn on a steep section and a long ride inside the hollow of a wave are different feats that can both be excellent. The note about conditions lets judges reward what the day's waves allow.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shortboard | Five elements | ISA, Judging Criteria i |
| Longboard | Nose riding, footwork, control and others | ISA, Judging Criteria ii |
| Stand-up paddle | Adds use of the paddle | ISA, Judging Criteria iii |
| Aerial events | Height, technicality and style named | ISA, Judging Criteria v |
From the rule book
International Surfing Association, Rulebook and Contest Administration Manual (30 July 2026), Judging Criteria. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISA Rule Book, July 2026 (PDF).