Section 7: Violations & Penalties
7.1 Interference
Interference is the most common and significant violation in competitive surfing. It occurs when a surfer without priority impedes, obstructs, or hinders the scoring potential of the priority surfer. Specific interference scenarios include:
- Dropping in: Paddling into and riding a wave that the priority surfer is already riding or has committed to paddling for.
- Paddling interference: Paddling in front of or into the path of the priority surfer as they ride a wave, even if the offending surfer does not stand up.
- Snaking: Paddling around the priority surfer to gain inside position at the last moment before a wave arrives. If this causes the priority surfer to lose the wave, interference is called.
- Blocking in the channel: Deliberately obstructing a surfer's paddle-out path to gain a tactical time advantage.
7.2 Interference Penalties
- First interference: The offending surfer's second-best wave score is halved. If the surfer has not yet caught a second scoring wave, the penalty applies when they do. This can be devastating, as the heat total is the sum of only 2 waves.
- Second interference (same heat): The offending surfer's second-best wave score is reduced to zero, effectively forcing them to compete on a single wave score for the remainder of the heat.
- Third interference (same heat): The surfer is disqualified from the heat and receives last place.
7.3 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
- Verbal abuse, intimidation, or aggressive behavior toward other surfers, officials, or water safety personnel.
- Deliberately damaging another surfer's equipment.
- Refusing to wear the assigned competition jersey or comply with official instructions.
- Penalties range from a score deduction to heat disqualification, or in severe cases, removal from the event.
7.4 Other Infractions
- Late to the water: Surfers who are not in the lineup by the heat start signal may receive a time deduction (the clock runs regardless).
- Outside competition zone: Waves caught outside the designated competition area are not scored.
- External coaching: Receiving coaching signals from the beach during a heat may result in a warning or score penalty at the Head Judge's discretion.
- Equipment violation: Using a board that fails equipment inspection results in heat disqualification if discovered after the heat has begun.