Hi fellow Breezers,

This weekend I am sitting the ISA level 1 judging course. Surfing Association of PNG has asked me to participate because they want to run a SUP division at the next nationals. As far as I know I am still the only paddle surfer in these parts but hopefully that will change soon. I know at least 2 more boards are on their way up here for prospective paddle surfers....

I was just wondering if anyone has done this course and what I should expect? How should I prepare or is there something I should concentrate on in particular?

I am also interested in any tips or things I should be aware of in judging a SUP heat or final as opposed to conventional surfing. Please share the knowledge.

many thanks,

Lobes in Papua New Guinea

I took the the judging course to help me coach an athlete to an australian title.

Little did I know it would would lead me all over the country as this athlete won numerous competitions. More delight was seeing Kelly Slater taking off sideways into the barrel at Newcastle and first hand witnessing Michael Campbell's sheer bloody minded comittment to smashing waves in winning that comp. After several study trips to the goldy watching the pros at Snapper Rocks on the ASP tour, I very clearly understood the commitment that was the only approach to winning these events.

Going back a few years and the ASP changed the scoring to the two best waves over the best three waves. The back story here is that a surfer that surfed three solid waves to the beach could beat someone risking it and surfing more radical, and sometimes falling off. Bloody confusing for a spectator.

One more back step. Like it or not surfing at this level is a business that involves spectators and that reads entertainment. It has to be informative and engaging. The lay spectator can see risk and feel drama. Now add live scoring and we have the whole beach involved in the ride, vicariously.

Think that stand up paddle surfing is different and you risk something? Entertainment will always be a mix of risk and style and drama. That is the turns in the pocket that are rewarded in any surfing comp will also be scored higher in stand up paddle surfing too. That means tubes, snaps, re-entrys, ariels, floaters, roundhouse cutbacks(flow and vertical) and yes wafts/slides. These are the guts of high scoring in most categories.

Floating back to Sup surfing we are in exactly, precisely, the same position. Our point of difference is the paddle. Bottom line for the long term differentiation of the sport for the lay spectator, just so they know, because it is entertainment, is this. Turns in the critical section of the wave performed with the paddle will score the highest.

Don't be fooled though just like spectators, judges want rail carves, variety, flow, creativity and a touch of old school, cause it feels great. It makes for a great heat to judge. Gets you on the edge of your seat.

Love this "new" sport for all the old reasons.

Stuart Murray