The 2024 Noosa Festival is fast approaching.  For competitors, the below information provides everything you need to know for the upcoming festival. Please read through the following information carefully. 

We are still a long way out from starting day and many decisions are yet to be made about event progressions, competitor numbers and the scheduling of divisions.

As the entries are received for the respective divisions, we will be reviewing final numbers and fitting them into our program. At the moment, entries for the 2024 festival will close Feb 28th in order to give our team ample time to seed and draw heats.  

As you may know, our program of events is always full and there are limited numbers on many of the divisions this year, so we strongly recommend that you enter early to ensure you have a slot. We note that even where numbers are not limited from the outset, we reserve the right to limit entries even in those events at any time. Last-minute decision makers may be disappointed.

Updates to this page will be made from time to time before the Festival starts, so keep an eye on this page and our social media to keep yourself in the loop.

1. The details

Entry

Similar to previous years, competitor entries will open in early November (2023). Entries are possible via our ticketing partner Humanitix where the full entry fee must be paid in full to secure your spot. For information on refunds/cancellations, please refer to our terms and conditions page.  

Repechage

Similar to previous years, certain events will offer a first-round repechage. If you fail to qualify in your first event, you will have the opportunity for another session. If you lose in round one, then check for your repechage heat time.  Some first-round repechage heats may be on the same day as your first heat. Competitors are advised to check the schedule carefully.

Checking In and Participation

Please check in and register on time. All registration locations and times are on the Festival website. Please don’t just turn up at the beach.  If you are in a Division with a repechage and you miss your first heat, then you can still surf in your repechage.

If for any reason you are unable to surf, please let us know in advance and we can slot in a reserve.

NO RESERVE WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE PLACE OF A NO-SHOW PAID ENTRANT UNLESS THERE HAS BEEN A PERSONAL OFFICIAL WITHDRAWAL RECEIVED BY THE ORGANISERS 30 MINUTES IN ADVANCE OF THE HEAT.

Payment Acceptance

All events [speciality, teams and age] must be entered through the official Noosa Festival of Surfing registrations portal (Humanitix). Payments can be made on the day via credit/debit card ONLY if a spot is available and beach marshalls notified. 

Cancellation & Refunds

Competitors who want to cancel their entry may do so with a full refund (excluding admin fee of $30 and Humanitix fee of $6 per entry). Cancellation must be made 30 days or more out from the start of the event. 

50% cancellation if outside 14 days.

100% cancellation if within 14 days. In other words, no refund. 

Competitors may transfer their entry to another competitor in the same division.

Competitors entitled to a refund should expect to wait 10-14 business days for their refund to clear.

Event Location, Times and Heat Duration

The event is mobile between First Point and Access 11, Noosa West, daily. Check the notice board for the day’s location, placed at the First Point Podium at around 6.00 am OR join the 2024 competitor forum HERE for regular updates. 

The event starts daily between 6.30am-7:30am depending on location, with a full schedule every day consisting of 20-minute heats and finals, with the exception of repechage heats that will be 15 minutes. (Please note: Heat times may change frequently throughout the day)

ALL REPECHAGE HEATS WILL BE 15 MINUTES.  After your heat, make sure you know when you surf next, sometimes this may occur just a few heats later on the same day.

Competitors are advised to use appropriate storage provided by the event. Surfboards may not be kept on private property of Sails Restaurant or Netanya Resort! 

Beach Marshall

Our Beach Marshall is located on the beach next to the judge’s podium. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of your heat to get your contest vest/rashie.  

Competitors are required put the vest/rashie on in the presence of the Beach Marshall. Then at the direction of the announcer, you can enter the water, usually with 5 minutes to go.  Competitors must keep the contest vest on until returning to the Beach Marshall and then remove it. This is essential as photos are taken at all times.

Our friendly Beach Marshall will help you with any questions you may have. 

As a courtesy – on the paddle out, please keep well clear of the competitors in the current heat.

Competitors Note

BE SELECTIVE WITH YOUR WAVES. ONLY CATCH WAVES THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE YOUR SCORE.  You will be scored on the best two [2] rides you make, USUALLY THE MAXIMUM YOU ARE ALLOWED TO CATCH IS 10 FOR ANY HEAT.  

The Beach Marshall will have the heat instructions posted at the table for you to read. These typically include; heat duration, number of waves, paddle out time, designated right of way situation for interferences and number of places qualifying for the next round. Please check this carefully & personally.

Please read the event waiver posted on the notice board at the daily event site and on your entry form. This forms part of your signed entry agreement and your obligations.

Note that the surfboard specifications are NOT the same for all longboard divisions.  

Boys & Girls Under 15 Division is set at 8 foot and Over.

Other Divisions to meet the current longboard 52” aggregate and 9 foot length.  

High-Performance Divisions have their own specifications [see below] . This [HP] means multiple fins are allowed, but a traditional plan shape must be used.  

LENGTH is measured along the stringer on the deck. All events are conducted under the Surfing Australia Contest Rulebook.

All the age events are non-prizemoney and will be judged on the normal Surfing Australia High Performance Longboard criteria, using normal longboard specifications [9 foot length and 52” aggregate].

All our event staff are approachable, experienced and happy to give you answers or chase up the information for you. Please ask. Agressive behaviour towards our event staff including judges will not be tolerated and penalties will apply if deemed appropriate by the contest director and/or the event director. 

2. RESULTS AND LOCATIONS

The age events are all being conducted under the Surfing Australia Contest Rules and your two [2] best waves will make up your score.

Our event permit locations will be First Point, Access 11 and Sunrise/Castaways Beach.  First Point is our “prime location”. As a competitor, you must keep up to date with where and when your heat is to be held. If we move between locations, we will be as fast as possible and keep the event flowing.

In any heat, if you are not present to collect your contest vest when the heat starts, you may arrive later and still collect your vest and enter the water for the duration of the heat remaining.

In divisions with repechage, you will also have the option of taking your place in the repechage, even if you have missed your first round heat & thus finished in the last 3 places. No substitutions will be allowed unless the Contest Director has been informed of your inability to compete at least 30 minutes before the heat starts. To give reserves a chance of getting a normal start, please advise any changes as soon as possible.

3. Special Notes for some Divisions: 

[PLEASE NOTE: Most Rules / Criteria have been taken from Surfing Australia Rule Handbook. However, the Festival organisers reserve the right to amend any rules or criteria to suit Festival purposes at any time without notice].

LOGGER EQUIPMENT RULES [extract from Surfing Australia Rulebook]. 

Logger Specifications

• The board length is minimum 9 feet measured from the nose to the tail on the deck of the surfboard
• The width dimensions are to be a total minimum 51 inches in aggregate. This is the total of the widest point, plus the width 12 inches up from the tail and 12 inches back from the nose
• The board will have a single central fin that may be permanently fixed or attached via a fin box. There must be no provision for any other fin configuration
• The rails of the surfboard will be 50/50 or 60/40 from nose to tail
• The board will have no resin edge from rail to tail
• The fin will be at least 8 inches from its mounted base to the highest point
• A provision for attaching a leg rope should be attached / inserted into the surfboard. The use of leg ropes will determined by the conditions and at the Contest Director’s discretion

LOGGER JUDGING CRITERIA:

“The surfer must perform a variety of traditional longboard manoeuvres in the critical sections of the wave with continual motion, style and grace. The surfer must display uninterrupted flow with control of the surfboard with emphasis on creativity and the linking of manoeuvres over the entire duration of the ride. Trim for speed and noserides done in the critical section of the wave  with feet close together and upright or arched back will attract higher scores. The surfer who performs to the criteria above, exhibiting the maximum degree of difficulty and commitment on the waves shall maximise his/her scoring potential.”

Logger Scoring Guidelines and Manoeuvres

The following manoeuvres are considered to be more traditionally based and should be considered when scoring logger surfing in a competition environment.

There are some manoeuvres that “cross-over” all surfing disciplines. However, there can be a more traditional approach that is obvious with these manoeuvres, especially with the constraints of the design of the logger boards.

The words: continual motion, flow, style and grace directly relate to how the surfer reads the wave and performing the manoeuvres that “fit” to the wave. Stylish and flowing – traditional elements will become obvious when the surfer is committing to the entire criteria.

Classic nose rides are usually best when the walk to the nose is set up by a tail stall or directly in from the arc of a turn.

• Nose rides – touch 5 and 10’s and extended 5’s and 10’s
• Cheater 5 nose rides
• Cross-stepping and reverse walks
• Layback cutbacks
• Cutbacks – Drop knee, cross step, roundhouse
• Tube rides – Cover-ups
• Re-entries – Off the face and lip

Minor and transitional manoeuvres are considered to have little scoring potential in the competition system.

• Bottom turns
• Fade takeoffs
• Stalling and trimming
• Side slides
• Hawaiian pullout

Old Malibu Division boards used must be produced prior to 1968.  An appointed “eminent historical sub-committee” chaired by the Contest Director, will adjudicate on any protest regarding equipment.  

LONGBOARD EQUIPMENT RULES:

Longboard Specifications

• The board length is minimum 9 feet measured from the nose to the tail on the deck of the surfboard
• A provision for attaching a leg rope should be attached / inserted into the surfboard. The use of leg ropes will determined by the conditions and at the Contest Director’s discretion

High Performance Longboard JUDGING CRITERIA:

 
The surfer must perform controlled maneuvers on a high-performance level with the highest degree of difficulty in the most critical sections of the wave to gain the highest score. Judges will reward the performance with reference to style and flow, visual appeal, commitment, variety of maneuvers and use of the entire board, speed and power. Radical tail and rail surfing, off the lips, full round houses, airs, floaters, new and progressive maneuvers will be important elements of the judges decision-making as well as nose riding, trimming & footwork.
Also –“The surfer must perform controlled maneuvers in the critical sections of a wave with speed, power and flow. Innovative/Progressive surfing as well as the Combination and Variety of Repertoire (of MAJOR maneuvers) will also be taken into consideration when rewarding points for a surfers performance. The surfer who performs to the criteria above, exhibiting the maximum Degree of Difficulty and Commitment on the waves shall maximize his/her scoring potential.”
NOTE: It’s important to note that the emphasis of certain elements is contingent upon the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes of conditions during the day. – Variety highlights the need to present different types of maneuvers on the one wave, combination refers to the choice of maneuvers and the order they are done and also the mix chosen indicate the rider’s skill.
Equipment:
Athletes can use any board with any fins set up, any outline, shape and material and any weight as long as measurements below are respected:
9’0” long minimum measuring from the deck straight from the nose to the tail disregarding the rocker.
Minimum 52” combined (1+2+3)
1. Nose width @ 12” from the nose
2. Widest (middle)
3. Tail width @ 12” from the tail

High Performance Longboard Scoring Guidelines and Manoeuvres

The following manoeuvres are considered to be more performance based and should be considered when scoring HP longboard surfing in a competition environment.

There are some manoeuvres that “cross-over” all surfing disciplines. However, there can be a more dynamic approach that is obvious with these manoeuvres.

The words: speed, power and flow directly relate to how the surfer reads the wave and performing the manoeuvres that “fit” to the wave. Stylish and flowing – dynamic elements will become obvious when the surfer is committing to the entire criteria.

• Layback cutbacks
• Cutbacks – Drop knee, cross step, roundhouse
• Tube rides – Cover-ups
• Re-entries – Off the face and lip
• Floaters
• Aerials
• Performance snaps/re-entries
• Nose rides – touch 5 and 10’s and extended 5’s and 10’s
• Cheater 5 nose rides
• Cross-stepping and reverse walks

TEAM CHALLENGE

Teams Challenge will feature up to a maximum of 18 teams, each of four [4] surfers that includes at least one female or junior U18 or 50 & Over surfer. 

ALL rounds of the Teams Challenge have a heat time of 30 minutes with the best single wave of each surfer counting [maximum 2 waves per surfer may be ridden]. The final will be thirty minutes with up to six (6) teams competing. 

All teams must submit their list of competitors in the order they will surf, and also nominating any substitute surfers (max 2 allowed) who may be called in later rounds.

Please note: a surfer can only be nominated in 1 team throughout the event. Team lists need to be emailed to the Contest Director Tully St John ([email protected]) no later than (5/3/2024). Teams can also be entered via the festival entry portal.

Team Challenge main rules and penalties:

[check Surfing Australia Rulebook at http://joom.ag/hUsb ], but your essential rules are as follows]:

1. Four (4) surfers make up a team. At least 1 must be Junior or Female surfer. 
2. Surfers enter the water in a declared order that they decide themselves.  
3. Each surfer can catch up to 10 waves but only the best score of each surfer is counted. If a surfer chooses the first wave, then they can leave the water immediately.
4. The event runs like a “relay” for those new to this event [over 30 minutes per heat, nominally 7.5 minutes per surfer].  Team boxes are on the beach, first surfer leaves box on siren to start, rides waves, return to box and tags next surfer on body to changeover. New surfer must be tagged inside the box. Final surfer crosses into box to finish.
5. Final team member must be back in the box within the time or a 5 point penalty is applied.

FAMILY CHALLENGE

Family Challenge will feature up to 18 teams, each of two (2) surfers. There must be a minimum of sixteen (16) years difference in the ages of the 2 surfers in each of the Family Challenge teams.

ALL rounds of the Family Challenge have a heat time of 20 minutes with the best wave of each surfer combining for their total score. Each Team member must catch a minimum of two (2) waves each.

Family Challenge main rules and penalties:

[check Surfing Australia Rulebook at http://joom.ag/hUsb ], but your essential rules are as follows]:

1. Two (2) surfers make up a Family Challenge team. Gender or age does NOT matter but there must be some aspect of a family relationship between the 2 surfers which can be demonstrated upon request.
2. There must be a minimum of sixteen (16) years difference in the ages of the 2 surfers in each of the Family Challenge teams. 
3. Surfers enter the water in the order that they decide for themselves.  
4. Each surfer can catch as many waves as they wish but both surfers in the Team MUST catch at least two (2) waves within the heat time limit or a 5 point penalty is applied. The best 2 waves for each surfer count.

AGE DIVISIONS/ELIGIBILITY

 ‘UNDER AGE’ DIVISIONS – COMPETITORS MUST BE UNDER THE SPECIFIED AGE AS OF 31st DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF COMPETITION.

 ‘OVER AGE’ DIVISIONS – COMPETITORS MUST BE OF AGE AS OF 31ST DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF COMPETITION.

DOG SURFING

VetshopAustralia.com.au Dog Surfing Spectacular. Having your dog on board for maximum time with attitude and both dog and rider walking with style, not shuffling, will be a key element.

SCHEDULE

Please note the below is subject to change:

9th – 10th March: Juniors, Teams, Family & some Senior Divisions

11th – 13th March: Senior Divisions, some Open Divisions

14th – 17th March: All divisions except Juniors