Competition FAQ’s

Heat Judging:

Each heat surfers are looking to lock in their two highest-scoring waves -- both out of a possible 10 points for a possible 20-point heat total. A panel of judges scores each wave on a scale of one to ten, the surfer receives the average of the score received from the judging panel. There is no limit on the number of waves that will be scored, but the two best scoring waves (each out of a possible 10) are added together to become a surfer's heat total (out of a possible 20). Efforts will be made to ensure that no judge has a vested interest in the heat they are judging (this includes not judging family members or heats from the same division a judge surf in).

Judges Analyse The following Elements When Scoring Waves:

  • Commitment and degree of difficulty

  • Innovative and progressive maneuvers

  • Combination of major maneuvers

  • Variety of maneuvers

  • Speed, power and flow

**It is important to note that the emphasis of certain elements is dependent upon the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes of conditions during the day.

Judging Scale:

0.0 — 1.9: Poor
2.0 — 4.9: Fair
5.0 — 6.4: Good
6.5 — 7.9: Very Good
8.0 — 10.0: Excellent

End of Year Results:

This season will feature five events for the senior divisions, with your worst result being dropped the reaming top four results determining your final standing on the leaderboard.

Division Rules:

You can only enter in two events, for senior comps this means you can only enter into your age division and an open division this allows for the days to run smoothly.

For junior comps you must be under the age for the entire year e.g if you are entering into under 12’s for 2026 you must be 11 and under for the entirety of 2026 meaning you can’t turn 12 till Jan 1st 2027 to qualify

Interference Rules:

While the goal of PLBC is to have fun and enjoy surfing in some extreme cases a surfer who hinders the scoring potential of another surfer will be given an interference penalty.

Dropping In: If one surfer has the inside on a wave (usually the one closest to the peak), and has stood up no one else is allowed to take off. If another surfer takes off anyway and affects the ride this will be called an interference resulting in the surfer loosing their second scoring wave (they now only have the ability to score a total of 10 points). This will be established with consideration by the judges.