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Judging guide

Welcome and Thank You

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 continue success and popularity of the tandem surfing tradition.
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 change 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 Surfing Association

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 15.
Supervise the official Weigh In (use the Weigh-In form on page 15). For details on the weigh-in rules, refer to Weigh-In on page 7.
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 8. 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: “Take Blue, I’ve got Red�?.
If one team interferes with another, call out the jersey color of the interfering team. For example, call out: “Blue team -- interference�?.
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 8) 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 of 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 “Blue team finished�?
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:
1.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.) 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.
2.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 8 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 ITSA-sanctioned 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 Judge1). 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 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
Maneuvers on the wave (especially while in a lift)
Kick out (e.g., completing the wave, bringing the girl down to the board)
Length of ride
Sequence
The “Sequence�? portion of the score is awarded on a ten point scale, as follows:
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 “half score�? or given “no score�?, the corresponding sequence points are given half points or no points, accordingly. (For example, if a 3-point lift is not held for 3 seconds, but is completed, and therefore granted half points, the 3 point sequence score is give half points of 1.5 as well.)
Sequence points are cumulative up to 10 points.
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).
Full, Half, No Score
The lift portion of the score will be awarded full points if:
1.The lift is executed in accordance with the way it is depicted on the official Lift Sheet.
2.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 it 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
The lift portion of the score will be awarded half points if:
The lift IS held for 3 seconds or longer, but IS NOT completed or locked.
The lift IS held for less than 3 seconds, but IS completed or locked.
The lift portion of the score will be awarded no points it:
The lift IS NOT held for 3 seconds and IS NOT completed or locked.
A team takes a wave but does not execute a lift.
A team takes a wave but falls before or during the execution of a lift.
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 is 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 paddles in the way of another team who is riding the wave.

Tabulating scores

How to Use the Automated System
How to Manually Tabulate
Manual Tabulation Forms

policies

Contact with Contestants
At no time during an event will the participants be permitted to enter the judging platform, or speak to a judge for any reason.
Any participant in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, which will be at the discretion of the ITSA officers and advisory committee.
Depending on the severity of the breach, participants may receive a warning, may be excluded from the event, or may have their ITSA membership revoked, preventing them from participating in future ITSA-sanctioned events.
Handling Grievances
Lodging a Complaint:
In the event that a participant finds fault with the manner in which an event or heat is conducted, or if a participant has a complaint about another participant, judge, or member of the ITSA governing body or staff, he/she may take the following steps towards resolution:
Complainant must download the official “ITSA Grievance Form�? from the ITSA website or obtain a hard copy from a member of the ITSA staff.
Complainant completes the hard copy form and submits it to any member of the ITSA advisory committee.
No verbal grievances will be accepted.
Resolution/Reparation:
The ITSA advisory committee will schedule a review meeting, not to exceed one week following the conclusion of the event, to determine the merit of the grievance and determine the most appropriate and viable manner of reparation or resolution.
The ITSA advisory committee will make their position on the grievance known, as well any resultant changes to rules or policies, to the complainant and any other affected ITSA members, prior to the next scheduled ITSA-sanctioned event.
Adding New Lifts to the Official Heat Sheet
New lift submission requirements:

Requests to add a new lift to the official lift sheet should be emailed to Rico Leroy at rico_dem@hotmail.com. All submissions require the following information:
What is the lift name.
Three still shots of the lift being executed, from three different angles.
Instructional video with audio explaining how to execute the lift on the beach. It should explain how to get into the lift and how to dismount as well. It should be shown from three different angles.
Still shot of the lift being done it the water.
Written description and instructions on how to perform the lift.
Signature from two other teams who will sponsor the lift and agree it should be considered.
Any lifts submitted by September 30th of each year will be considered for inclusion in the following in years lift sheet.
Lifts will be evaluated by ITSA regions (HI, US, AUS, FRA) representative to determine where they fit within the existing lift sheet.
The difficulty of the new lift will be determined by evaluating the following criteria:
Strength required
Balance
Flexibility
Level of difficulty surfing in the lift
Number of touch points between partners

certification

To become a certified ITSA Head Judge, the following criteria must be met and verified:
Prospective judges should have previous experience tandem surfing or other similar sport, such as ice skating, gymnastics, diving or similar.
Prospective judges must attend 6 beach clinics throughout the year to learn the lifts, the judging system, and practice judging.
Prospective judges must pass a visual recognition test of the lifts as executed on the beach, correctly naming at least 90% of the lifts demonstrated.
Prospective judges must “shadow judge�? three contests and be approved by the Head Judge as judging accurately. The Head Judge shall email the “approval�? to both ITSA Co-Presidents.
Prospective judges must read, memorize, and be able to verbally explain all of the rules and regulations outlined in the judging guide.
Prospective judges must demonstrate the ability to enter scores into the computer tabulating system as well as manually tabulate scores.

Forms

The following forms are included at the back of this guide for your duplication and distribution, as applicable.
Event Rules & Regulations (checklist)
This form should be used to explain the rules and regulations of a contest prior to the event. The Head Judge should schedule and announce when and where contestants should meet to review this list.
Weigh-In form
This form should be used to note the weight of both the male and female partner and calculate that the female is not less than half her partner’s weight.
Head Judge score sheet
This form is used by the Head Judge to note all of the lifts in sequence on a wave as performed by all teams in a heat.
The judge shall enter the number of every lift the team executes regardless of the success (e.g., not held, fallen, etc.)
The judge shall mark an X through the box following the last noted lift on a wave to indicate the end of a sequence.
The judge shall mark a slash / through a box if the lift is not held for 3 seconds or if the team falls out of the lift.
The judge shall mark a O through a box to indicate that no lift was performed on the wave.