Surf Comp
Overview
- Date:
- 7 – 8 Feb 2026
- Location:
- Noosa, Sunshine Coast
- Break:
- Conditions will dictate either First Point, Noosa Woods or Castaways Beach (TBA on socials)
- What to bring:
- Your standard beach day essentials from sunnies and your favourite sunscreen, to your surf equipment, some cash or card to enter our awesome raffles, your reusable water bottle and yoga matt or towel.
- Questions:
- Head over to our FAQs to find answers to the most commonly asked questions or get in touch with our team for help!
Equipment
For competitors aged 13 and over, a minimum of a 9 foot longboard is required. For participants 12 and under, we recommend using a mini mal, but any board type or length of board is welcome, we want you to have fun!
Competing
- 1.
- Paddle out 5 minutes before your heat starts (when the yellow flag is raised).
- 2.
- A single horn will sound to start your 20 minute heat, and a green flag will be raised to signal the start of the heat. You will be able to see it from the water. In order to have your waves scored, stay where the judges can see you.
- 3.
- Catch at least 2 waves, with a maximum of 10 – a wave is counted as soon as your hands leave your board. Only your 2 best scores count.
- 4.
- Scores reflect the length of ride, skill and style. Scorable maneuvers are: turns, cutbacks, board trim, coasters, floaters, sideslips, stalls, tube rides, nose rides, white water control. When performed with control and to completion, “tricks” can be scored. “Tricks” are: spinners, coffins, head stands, fin first takeoffs, etc.
- 5.
- A double horn will sound to end your heat, and the red flag will be raised.
- 6.
- To help avoid confusion for the judges and to avoid a penalty, do not stand up on a wave to head back to shore (belly or knees is fine).
- 7.
- We want everyone to have a blast, so let’s keep it friendly! Good vibes and sportsmanship are a must. If you argue with a judge, drop any bad language, or get too heated, you might be asked to sit out. It’s all about fun, good times, and helping each other enjoy the waves. Let’s keep it chill and make some epic memories!
Judging
Your waves will be scored out of 10 by a panel of judges (including three surfers from heats after yours and 1-2 head judges). They’ll average the scores and chat about any big differences. Only your top two wave scores count, but you can keep catching waves until you hit the 10-wave limit per heat.
The Novice division has slightly different judging criteria, but everyone gets points out of 10!
If you’re in the novice category, you’ll accumulate points for:
- Taking off with control,
- Staying close to the pocket of the wave (the part of the wave with most power, close to the peak and not out on the shoulder),
- Riding along with control,
- Finishing the wave without falling off or losing your board
- Bonus points will be awarded for any “novice critical manoeuvres” such as turning or stepping.
If you’re in an age category, Open or Teams divisions, you’ll accumulate points for:
- Controlled manoeuvres in the critical part of the wave,
- Turns executed with control,
- Utilizing the entire board – Nose riding and rail surfing,
- Stepping executed with control,
- Wave choice and commitment – maneuvers on bigger, more critical waves will score more highly than the same maneuver on a small wave,
- Bonus points will be awarded for any critical maneuvers such as hang fives, hang tens, drop knee turns or barrel rides – provided they are completed (for example, stepping back from a hang five and continuing/finishing with control, exiting a barrel, etc).
When it comes to right of way:
- If two competitors stand up at the same time, the person closest to the peak has right of way. The other must exit the wave to avoid a penalty. If a competitor starts riding in front of or behind someone already closest to the peak, it’s considered a “drop-in,” and their wave will be scored a “0.”
- Surfing interference occurs when a contestant has a negative impact on another contestant’s wave. If you are called for interference, you’ll get 50% taken off your second highest score. If you feel you have interfered, or have been interfered with, listen for a call form the P.A. If you have been interfered with, you will be allowed an additional wave.
Results
Wow, a huge congratulations to everyone who participated in Sunny Sets. Check out the results:
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