24th Annual Festival • Schedule • Competitors - Registration - Intermediate and Novice Categories - Expert Categories - Tips for Competitors - Judging Criteria • Latest News • Event Results • Prior Cont Photos • Surf Etiquette • Photo Gallery • The History • Sponsor Information • Volunteers • Media Information • Directions Archive • 2009 Festival • 2008 Festival • 2007 Festival • 2006 Festival • 2005 Festival • 2004 Festival • 2003 Festival • Site Map Adventure Sports Unlimited 303 Potrero Street #15 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 458-3648  Big fun since 1978			Competition Tips Notes taken by Mark Pastick from the lecture section of a Dick Wold surf class, held before the Santa Cruz Kayak Surf Festival Time management Wear a watch to accurate count of your 20 minute heat Be aware of what color jersey your wearing and time of your heat. Missing your heat is a very common and costly mistake. In 20 minutes you have to catch a minimum of 3 waves the judges can score. With a maximum of 10 waves that are judged. Always surf more than three waves just in case you need a tie breaker. Sometimes tie breakers will go to 5 waves. Also suggest catching a wave early in the heat. This gets you going. Sometimes waiting too far outside for the waves that never come and eats up the clock. Get all your gear together before you need it. Preparation Get in condition by working out. Several very good kayakers will train by swimming. Upper body work outs and endurance conditioning is where its at. Surfing double sessions the week before will also help greatly. Practice in the boat your competing in since all paddle craft surf different. Get used to what your using. Watch the waves before you go out from the cliffs so you get an idea where you want to set up and start your rides, see the line or path your ride will take and include mentally your end move. Triangulate that spot where you want to start with 3 different landmarks. When they all 3 landmarks line up you know your in the right spot. When Do you hit the water? I recommend to plan on reaching the water 20 minutes before your next heat. This give you a little wiggle room in case unforeseen obstacles need to be overcome. Don't start too early or too late. Dick Wold likes to start a little late. By getting out to the contest site just before the heat horn sounds. When the heat horn sounds you have 14 minutes then 2 horns to mark the last 5 minutes of the heat then 3 horns sound to give you 1 minute to clear the area so the next heat can start. Performing Choosing which waves to take is an important decision. At Steamer lane in Santa Cruz this is what the judges seem to like and dislike. Always surf the right side of the wave. The judges seem to score low when you take off left side. The judges also don't like back surfing and 1 trick pony. Mix up your ride with several different maneuvers. Get some waves early. It may psyc out our opponent and get you some early points. Judges like maneuvers in critical situations. Be dynamic not static. Roller coaster, spins in critical situations. round house cut backs, cut back with tail slash, quick, powerful snappy turns, Soup hops, off the lip barrel roll. Are some suggestions to try. Old school judges scored waves in 3 parts. The take off, ride, and end move. 1 judge usually scored 1 rider. with 3 other judges waiting for the next 3 riders. New school 3 judges all contribute to wave scores of individual riders. Scoring maneuvers in critical situations has overshadowed wave selection. What the total score for a perfect wave? With 3 judges all scoring perfect scores of 10 for your 3 waves will give you the perfect score of 90 points for the heat. High heat scores for contests usually are in the 50 - 60 point range. And finally.. Have fun, be a good sport, and stretch your skills. ~ Mark Pastick Want more? Check out Judging Criteria

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