Olympic surfing rules explained

Surfing will be making its Olympic debut at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, here is everything you need to know about the rules of the sport. 

The 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan is quickly approaching. After a year’s delay, the athletes are making final preparations and travel arrangements. Along with the most loved sports in the summer including running, swimming, and more, there will be a new Olympic sport to watch. Surfing is making its debut in the Olympic games this year. Surfing has been gaining traction over the last decade. The World Surf League (WSL) showcases some of the best surfers in the world and now the best of the best will be headed to Tokyo to represent their countries.

With surfing as a competitive sport being new to most people, the rules will need to be explained. Here is a breakdown of how the scoring and heats will be taking place.

How will surfing work at the 2021 Olympics?

There will be 20 men and 20 women participating from 18 different countries. The location for the competition will be  Shidashita Beach located 40 miles outside of Tokyo. Surfing competition is different than any other sporting event due to unpredictable conditions. There will most likely be a holding period between July 25 and August 1, in which the people in charge will assess the waves each morning and pick the best days to hold the competition.

If the waves are satisfactory then the heats will be able to begin running. The heats will consist of four athletes at a time. The surfers will be using common surf etiquette in which the surfer closest to the peak of the wave will have priority to that wave.

Each wave will be judged by a panel and scores will be based from 1 to 10. The scores will go to two decimals such as 5.89. The scores will be based on speed, maneuvers, air, and barrels. The best two scores from each heat will move on to the next round.