Welcome to the competitive world of Tandem Surfing. By becoming a certified ITSA tandem surfing
judge, you are making a significant contribution to preserving a beautiful and time-honored tradition.
People have been tandem surfing since surfing boards on the ocean's waves began. But the
competitive sport of tandem surfing is relatively new, beginning in the 1960's and experiencing swells
and lulls in popularity ever since. With the advent of the International Tandem Surfing Association
(ITSA), sanctioned by one of the largest surf governing bodies in the world, the ISA, tandem surfing has
gained significant momentum.
One of the thorns in the side of competitive tandem surfing has always been the disparity and
inconsistency of the judging at contests. This was partly due to the lack of an official, comprehensive,
quantitative judging system; but equally due to the lack of dedicated people with the education and
appreciation necessary to evaluate this difficult sport. By becoming an ITSA-certified judge, you are
satisfying a crucial need and doing a significant part to ensure the continued success and popularity of
the tandem surfing tradition. Thank you so much!
No one will tell you that being a tandem judge is an easy job. It requires significant study, practice,
dedication, and impartiality to be successful. But please know that you have all the respect, gratitude,
and appreciation from the tandem surfing competitors for bringing legitimacy and fairness to the art and
sport to which we have dedicated our hearts and souls.
Within the pages of this guide are all the rules, guidelines, checklists, forms, and tools you will need at
your disposal to judge tandem surfing contests. Please note that in the effort to continually improve the
sport, there may be changes and additions to this guide from time to time. You will be supplied with any
changed pages as they are available, but you will be responsible for keeping your guidebook up to date
and making yourself well-apprised of how any changes may affect the way you judge.
Again, from all of the ITSA organizers and participants, we thank you for undertaking this difficult but
rewarding enterprise.
Good luck and mahalo!
-- International Tandem
Surfers
RESPONSIBILITIES
Head Judge
The Head Judge, also known as the ''lifting judge'', has the following responsibilities:
Before a contest:
Become ITSA-Certified and maintain good standing by continually attending judging clinics
throughout the year and studying this guide periodically.
Act as liaison between the other judges, the contest organizers, and the contestants.
Supply all the necessary heat sheets, tabulating supplies (computer, calculator, manual tabulation
forms), and binoculars at the contests.
Hold a meeting well in advance of the first heat to review the rules with contestants. Refer to
Explaining the Rules to Contestants (checklist) on page 20.
Supervise the official Weigh In (use the Weigh-In form on page 20). For details on the weigh-in
rules, refer to Weigh-In on page 8.
Determine whether the conditions (waves or wind) warrant changing the ''three second rule'' to two
seconds.
Announce the wave count: number of waves that count is 2 out of a possible ? waves.
During a contest:
Avoid the ''appearance of impropriety'' by abstaining from any contact with contestants.
Judge each contestant's performance in the most fair, consistent, and accurate manner possible.
Work in unison with the other members of the judging staff, balancing the need to objectively
consider others' opinions with the need to achieve a definitive score without lengthy debate or
controversy.
During a heat:
Call out the name of each lift of each sequence of each wave for every contestant on the Head
Judges Score Sheet so it can be noted by the scribe.
As the lift is being executed, count to three seconds aloud (or two seconds, refer to Three Second
Rule on page 9. If the lift is not executed for 3 seconds, call out ''NO LIFT'' so it can be noted by the
scribe.
In the event that two teams split the peak, call out to the Assistant to the Head Judge the jersey
color of the other surfer to follow. For example, call out: ''I've got Red; take Blue,''.
Do not take your eyes off a team until they have completed the wave to the board or fallen off.
As the team completes there wave, or as soon as possible thereafter, mentally calculate the
sequence range (refer to the Sequence section on page 9) and communicate it to the Surfing
Judges.
During a lull or immediately following the heat (as time permits), review the lifts with the Assistant
Judge, scribe, and spotter to verify that the lifts called were correctly identified and noted.
After the heat:
With the help of the Scribe and/or Assistant Judge, enter the lift, surfing, and sequence scores into
the computer system. If the computer system is not available or functioning properly, manually
tabulate the scores using the Manual Tabulation Form.
Provide a print out or hand-written results of the heat to the announcer and/or post it on the score
board.
After the contest:
Collect any Grievance forms.
Collect all of the heat sheets and notations.
Collect all of the extraneous supplies and equipment.
Arrange for a follow-up meeting with all members of the judging staff and if applicable, contest
organizers, to review the event and resolve any outstanding issues. Discuss any filed grievances
and facilitate a discussion among interested parties as the best way to remedy the situation and/or
what changes to make in the future to avoid similar situations.
Assistant to Head Judge
Be available to assist the Head Judge prior, during, and following all events.
Confirm the lift and time held as called out by the Head Judge.
In the event that two teams split the peak, the Head Judge will indicate which color jersey you are
responsible for watching. For this team, you assume all of the Head Judge's responsibilities in
terms of identifying, calling, and counting each lift of the sequence.
During a lull or following a heat, confer with the Head Judge to verify that the lifts noted by the
scribe are correct as far as you recollect.
Spotter
Be available to assist the Head Judge prior, during, and following all events.
Call out each team's color as they stand up on the board and the direction they are surfing. For
example, call ''Blue's up, going Right''.
Call out if a team falls or completes their wave. For example, call ''Blue team down'' or ''Score Blue''
Scribe
Be available to assist the Head Judge prior, during, and following all events.
During a heat, use the Scribe's notation sheet to write down every lift that the Head Judge and/or
Assistant Judge calls, as it is called.
During a lull or immediately following a heat, cross-reference the lift number from the Lift sheet
(listed alphabetically) to the lift as noted.
Surfing Judges
Surfing judges will be given the appropriate heat sheets prior the heat start.
Surfing judges are responsible for evaluating two components of the overall surfing score:
Surfing-Judges will evaluate the level of surfing according to standard longboarding judging
criteria (e.g., wave selection, length of ride, maneuvers on the wave, etc.) on a scale of 1-10.
Additionally, they will award higher points to teams doing lifts in the most critical part of the
wave and maintaining the lift while surfing the wave.
Sequence-This is a subjective element based on the number and difficulty of lifts performed
during a given wave. The Head Judge will determine the valid ''range'' of sequence points that
should be awarded per wave (refer to the Sequence section of he Rules on page 9 for more
details). At the conclusion of a ride (or following a set, during a lull), will alert the surfing judges
of the sequence (which is plus or minus 1 the actual sequence value). The surfing judges are
allowed to give the lowest score if the overall performance did not meet their expectation (e.g.,
the lifts were not executed cleanly with grace and beauty). If the performance met but did not
exceed expectation, the surfing judges should award the actual sequence value. If the
performance exceeded their expectation, being executed ''perfectly'' in their opinion, the surfing
judge can award the highest point of the sequence range quoted them.
Note: At no time, no matter how excellent the performance, can a surfing judge award a
sequence score higher than the range quoted by the Head Judge.
In the event that there is insufficient time for the Head Judge to quote a sequence range prior to
another team taking a wave, the surfing judges should be prepared to recollect their impression of
the teams' rides so they can award the appropriate sequence score at the next available pause.
RULES
Spirit of Aloha
First and foremost, the mission of ITSA is to preserve the stoke and spirit of Aloha through the sport of
tandem surfing. To that end, detrimental or unsportsmanlike behavior that projects a negative image of
tandem surfers will not be tolerated. If disagreements or disputes arise, it is the responsibility of the
aggrieved party to obtain, complete, and submit a Grievance form outlining their complaints. AT NO
TIME MAY A CONTESTENT ENTER THE JUDGES TENT OR COMMUNICATE WITH THE
JUDGES DURING THE CONTEST IN ANY WAY, AT ANY TIME.
The following examples are meant to illustrate the type of behavior that may result in suspension or
revocation of ITSA membership and privileges. It is not meant to conclusively list every scenario that
may result in disciplinary action. Each situation will be evaluated by the ITSA officers and advisory
board on a case-by-case basis. All decisions of the ITSA officers and advisory board are final.
Entering the judge's tent or talking to judges.
Yelling or talking loudly in a negative, derogatory, or inflammatory way.
Failing to abide by any of the other ITSA rules, such as the mandatory weigh-in, partner rule, etc.
Using ITSA artwork, photographs, or other proprietary material or information in an unauthorized or
unlicensed manner.
Weigh-In
The female partner of a team can weigh no less than half her male partner's weight. Prior to any ITSAsanctioned
event, both members of a competing team will be required to participate in the Weigh-in.
Any team that does not make the weight will be prohibited from competing in that event.
Partners
To foster teamwork and promote the legitimacy of the sport, a male and female partner are considered
a ''team'' for the entire duration of a competitive event. For example, partners cannot be exchanged
between semi and final heats, or at any other time during a given event. The only exception to this rule
is during promotional exhibitions where it would be advantageous to exchange partners for
entertainment or educational purposes. When this is appropriate, teams will be notified by the ITSA
officers and/or advisory board in advance.
Points earned by a team during a competitive event stay with the team when determining seeding for
subsequent events.
Three Second Rule
All lifts must be held, in their fully executed state, for at least three seconds (as counted aloud
consistently by the Head Judge*). At the Head Judge's discretion, this can be downgraded to two
seconds. However, this should be reserved for very rare circumstances where the wind is
extraordinarily strong or the waves extraordinarily small. It should not be used when the conditions are
merely less than ideal. The criteria to consider should be whether it is possible to hold a single lift for at
least three seconds, not whether a team can perform an entire sequence, holding multiple lifts for more
than three seconds.
Wave Count
The highest two (2) waves (combining the lift, sequence, and surfing scores) will be calculated to
determine the final wave score.
The maximum number of waves will be variable based on the event and announced by the Head
Judge prior to commencing the first heat.
Any waves in which both members of a team's hands leave the rail of the board will be considered
a scoring wave.
Surfing
Surfing is judged on a ten point scale according to traditional longboard surfing criteria:
Wave selection
Length of ride
Functional maneuvers on the wave (especially while in a lift)
Kick out (e.g., completing the wave, bringing the girl down to the board)
Sequence
The ''Sequence'' portion of the score is awarded on a ten point scale, as follows:
Note: As of 2009, a new sequence rule has been instituted: Only the top four scoring lifts on any wave
will be calculated in the sequence score. For example, if a team executes a one-arm-back, to a falcon,
to a reverse one-arm-back to a cradle and then to a swan, ending in a knee stand, the total maximum
sequence would consider only one of the three 1-pt lifts.
All lifts that fall within the first two rows of the official lift sheet that are held for three seconds, locked
and/or completed, earn 1 point toward the overall sequence score.
All lifts that fall within the second two rows of the official lift sheet that are held for three seconds,
locked and/or completed, earn 2 points toward the overall sequence score.
All lifts that fall within the third two rows of the official lift sheet that are held for three seconds,
locked and/or completed, earn 3 points toward the overall sequence score.
If a lift score is given given ''no score'', the corresponding sequence points are not awarded either.
(For example, if a team performs a one-arm back (1 seq. point) and then attempts a falcon but
falls, they will be awarded between 0-2 sequence points, at the surfing judges' discretion.)
The Head Judge will calculate and announce the valid sequence range, which is plus/minus one
point of the actual sequence points.
The Surfing Judges decide which sequence value within the valid range to award based on their
subjective opinion of overall style and execution.
Lifts
The most difficult lift executed on a wave will constitute the ''lift'' portion of the overall score.
The lift must be recognized on the official ITSA lift sheet. Refer to Lift sheet (pictured numerically)
Lifts executed that are not on the official lift sheet cannot be considered in the overall lift score.
They will only be counted as a ''transition'', which might affect the way the surfing judges determine
the sequence score. In other words, unrecognized lifts only factor toward overall style.
The numeric value assigned to the lift will be divided by 4.5 in order to accommodate a 10 point
scale (this value will be computed automatically by the computer program or supplied in the form
for manual computing).
The Head Judge is responsible for entering the numeric value of all the lifts on the Heat Sheet, and
then determining which is the highest scoring lift for entry into the tabulation system.
The same lift cannot be tabulated as both of the two highest tabulated scores. The Head Judge
must manually review the high lifts entered on the top two waves to determine whether they are
valid. For example, if the top scoring lift of both of the top scoring waves is a ''Falcon'', then the
lowest of the top scoring lifts will have to be readjusted, taking the next highest scoring lift as the lift
score (e.g., One-Arm-Back).
No Score
The lift portion of the score will be awarded full points if:
The lift is executed in accordance with the way it is depicted on the official Lift Sheet.
The lift, fully executed, is held for three seconds and completes to the board or is ''locked'' by
another lift:
''Complete to the board'' means the girls' feet land on the board.
''Locked'' means that the subsequently executed lift seals the previous lift score (for
example, if a shoulder stand is held for three seconds, then the girl comes down to a
shoulder sit and then falls off, the team gets credit for the shoulder stand, but not the
shoulder sit, as the shoulder stand was ''locked'' by the shoulder sit.
If a team does not lock a lift for three seconds and/or does not complete the lift, they will
receive a 0 for that lift and it will not count toward their sequence score.
Interference
Interference will be called per standard traditional longboarding surfing rules:
The team closest to the peak gets right-of-way.
Teams can split a peak, however, it is not recommended as it becomes difficult for the Head Judge
to follow the lifts done by two teams going different directions.
Teams who are given an interference call will lose their top scoring wave.
Interference will be called if the team takes off on a team who is already up and riding (''hopping'')
Interference will be called if a team intentionally causes the other team to take off in front because
they paddled behind the other team (''snaking'').
Interference will be called on a team who intentionally paddles in the way of another team who is
riding the wave. (Teams padding back out to the line up should stay out of the shoulder and go
toward the broken part of the wave, if possible.)
TABULATING SCORES
How to Use the Automated System
The automated scoring program is built in Excel and uses embedded formulas to calculate the final
scores and rank the contestant of each heat. The scores will be written down on paper, and then
transcribed to this program as time permits either during the heat, or immediately following. Some
practice and experience with this program prior to a contest is highly recommended. Additionally,
having a dedicated tabulator who is neither a judge nor a contestant would be ideal.
There are three sets of scores that must be entered for each contestant, on each wave, of each heat.
They are explained below:
Surf judges' Surfing score, multiplied by 10 (to avoid having to enter decimal points)
Surf judges' Sequence score, multiplied by 10 (to avoid having to enter decimal points)
Top scoring lift from each wave, as determined by the Head Judge.
The User Interface: Section A
Have one person read the scores off of the judge's sheet while another enters them in the
spreadsheet.
It is easiest to use the arrow keys on the computer to move ACROSS RIGHT the top row entering
the surfing scores first. Then, arrow DOWN and enter the sequence scores ACROSS LEFT as
they are read in reverse order.
Repeat for each team for that same judge.
Move to the next section, Judge 2, and repeat the steps above. Repeat for Judge 3 as well.
Section B
Find the highest scoring lift for each wave from the Head Judge's sheet (or, if the Scribe notation
sheet is used, take the high score from there).
Enter the actual, full value of the lift from the lift sheet. IMPORTANT: If one team executes the
same high lift more than once, enter the next highest lift. The same lift cannot be the highest lift for
both of the top two waves. (Refer to Section C).
Section C
This is where the result for each team, for each wave, calculating ALL of judges' scores is displayed. In
the following example, you can see that the Red team took 4 waves, and the highest two waves were
the 3rd wave (8.9) and the 1st wave (8.3).
Note the top 2 waves (1st and 3rd).
Go back up to the Head Judge's Lift scores (Section B) and make sure that the numbers for wave
1 and 3 are not the same! (I.e., the team did not do the same high lift for both of their top scoring
waves)
If the top two waves DO have the same lift as the high lift, look at the Head Judge sheet. Find the
lifts done on the second highest wave. Select the second highest lift of the sequence for that wave.
Enter that number in the corresponding wave box of Section B. Note: This may change which
waves are the top two.
The solid divider lines (vary by team color) displays the total for each judge, where the lift is divided
by 4.5 and the surf and sequence scores are divided by 10 so that all three scores are back to a 10
point scale. This is the total for that judge out of a possible 30 points.
The Red ''Av'' line below the judges score is a reflection of the following calculation: Add all three
''totals'' together (from the solid bar lines). Divide that by 9 (three judges x three scores). Multiply
the result of that by 2 to get the average score out of a possible 20 points.
The TOTAL line at the bottom takes the average of the top two scores from the ''Av'' row.
Note: Due to rounding rules in Excel, the scores are slightly different if manually calculated.
Section D
This section displays the ranking of all the teams in the heat based on the average score of the two top
scoring waves. The top two teams who move on to the next round are taken from here and moved to
the appropriate heat according to the progression map outlined on the first tab (Seeding).
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