Surf vs Skim vs Longboard

[Surfdad]

Someone give me a screwdriver so I can stab my eyes out! The debate rages and it's obvious that at this point it's economically motivated. Surfboard manufacturers want a surfstyle class, skimboard manufacturers want to win EVERYTHING and so think that board size and shape should have no bearing - so I introduce the longboard class. If we don't have equipment restrictions, then Nickypoo can enter the longboard division on his Walzer

So...let me ask you folks, that don't have a vested interest in this. A longboard class that REQUIRES the board to be over 8 feet in length would seem fair, appropriate and easy to do, right? I mean, does anyone see a reason why that would be an issue - like longboards behind a boat don't need to be longer than 5 feet? And yes I am setting the stage here

[Surfdad]

Right on! I am now offically a SENIOR member! Do I get a discount at breakfast?

[wakeboarder247]

So is your only question at the moment about the length of the "longboard" class?

[Surfdad]

Yep, just that one question at the moment.

[wakeboarder247]

Oh.. well in that case ya I think that is a good qualification. One question though.. why 8 feet? Are there many boards made for wakesurfing that are over 6 feet? 8 feet is definitely long enough.. but is it too long?

[Surfdad]

I think that the longboard division will eventually become a noseriding division. For that, judging probably won't start until the rider is in the front 24" of the board. 8 feet is doable when we speed the boat up. We've ridden a 10'2" almost 40 feet back, so the "too long" length issue really isn't a problem.

[NICKYPOO]

Yeah sure, 8'.

[Surfdad]

I am feeling like the rule development issue is becoming a career to me So I responded to the list with this:

With all due respect to Mr. Lopes for all of his hard work in developing the first wakesurfing contests, the rules and judging were not taken seriously. The result is that judges at the worlds were talking on cell phones and eating during many competitors runs. Folks won based strictly upon the number of tricks they performed, rather that the stated objectives of difficulty and intensity.

THAT issue can be eliminated by what we are doing here, taking it seriously. Further the head judge will be responsible for controlling the behavior of the judges in the boat. If any judge is not taking his responsibility seriously, he is to be removed.

As we develop the rules, I do NOT want to limit the creativity of riders or manufacturers. With all due respect to Jaime Lovett, I also do not want a rider to enter a surfstyle or longboard class and win by doing the same run as would be performed in the skimstyle class.

I am of the opinion as we struggle with this, that we are shackling my judges, as well as, riders and manufacturers. Accordingly I would like to suggest a completely different tack.

The surfstyle class will allow any board, but the highest scores will be award to tricks which reflect originality, difficulty and amplitude of a surfstyle nature. Surfstyle tricks, which will be the judges sole responsibility and discretion, include aerials, powerful slayshing turns, and surface rotations. Shuv based tricks, while allowed, are not considered surfstyle tricks and will be weighted accordingly. Further, surfstyle boards are longer, thicker, with deeper and a greater number of fins. Judges will take into consideration the appropriateness of the board used in the surfstyle class and score accordingly. Higher scores will be given to tricks performed on boards that reflect this class division.

The rule becomes:

The highest score will go to riders that primarily perform surfstyle tricks, with the greatest difficulty, originality, amplitude and with the least repetition on the board of the most surfstyle manufacture.

An example of a definitive surfstyle manufacture would meet the following criteria:

Length: Over 4'11"
Shape: Nose and Tail are different
Thickness: Over 1.5"
Fins: multiple on the tail
Nose Rocker: Over 2.5"
Fin Depth: Over 3.25"

In my opinion, if we reflect back on the Tulloch event. Applying this rule set, retroactively, to Jaime's run in the surfstyle division, he doesn't place in the top four. Not because his ride wasn't spectacular, but because it was primarily of a skimstyle nature and his board was manufactured more to a skimstyle specification.

Hypothetically speaking, if we assume Drew Danielo and Josh Sleigh had both competed in a surfstyle class at last years Worlds, Josh wins without question.

Both styles are given equal representation, skimstyle judging reflects the same type of criteria. Such that if Josh Sleigh enters a skimstyle division and does his standard tricks, he doesn't place.

The messages that the rules and judging criteria will convey are:

Do skimstyle tricks in a surfstyle or longboard class on a skimstyle board and you will lose.

Do surfstyle tricks in a skimstyle or longboard class on a surfstyle board and you will lose.

Do longboard tricks in a surfstyle or skimstyle class on a longboard and you will lose.

Objections? If I don't hear any, I will begin drafting a final set of rules and criteria for approval at large.

Thank you again for all of your help and consideration, folks.

Jeff

[NICKYPOO]

Honestly, it sounds pretty well thought out, and I don't have any objections to any of it.

[wakeboarder247]

Very well thought out. No objections here.