Australian Bodysurfing Classic 2023

Kiama, NSW

16th September 2023

WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIAN BODYSURFING CLASSIC?

The Australian Bodysurfing Classic (previously known as Whomp Off Australia) is NSW’s largest surfing event. It’s a teams-focused bodysurfing competition held annually on the east coast of Australia, by the crew at WAW Handplanes. It attracts a wide range of both male and female body surfers, with over 140 global competitors registered, across 16 teams. The competitor’s age range is from 10 - 75 years old and includes many current and former world bodysurfing champions.

The Australian Bodysurfing Classic is an inclusive, community-focused event aimed at promoting the sport of bodysurfing.

So, find your local team or create one and register your attendance today!

How to register:

Select your team from the list below, select your ticket type, and add to the cart. Then follow the onscreen instructions.

Dont have a team yet?

If you like to enter as an individual you can register for the Surfers For Climate Wild Cards team or if you’d like to register a new team, use the contact form at the bottom of the teams list.

Register Now

Want to register a new team for 2024?

Previous years highlights

THE TEAMS

Each team is to have 10 members.

Bonus points are available for teams that include women and groms (under 16)

Individuals (with no team) who wish to compete can enter into the wild card teams.

JUDGING CRITERIA & RULES

GENERAL EVENT JUDGING CRITERIA

(note this is altered slightly for the Tricks and Length of Ride events)

The following are key criteria the judges will consider

• Length of the ride in the critical section of wave

• Manoeuver execution, timing & flow

• Manoeuver level of difficulty

• Combinations & Vairety

• Commitment

• Control

The bodysurfer must:

• Choose the biggest and/or best waves;

• Ride for the longest functional distance in the most critical section of the wave;

•  Ride with the maximum speed, glide and flow;

• Perform maneuvers with control and fluidity.

The bodysurfer who performs this to the highest degree of difficulty with the most style, flow and grace will receive the highest score for a ride.

 NOTE : It is important to note that the emphasis of certain elements is contingent upon the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes in conditions during the day.

EQUIPMENT RULES

HANDPLANES

Handplanes are optional throughout the entire event.

The Australian Bodysurfing Classic adopts the IBSA international rules for handplane dimensions.:

Length is a maximum of 50.8 cm (20 inches) from the tip of the nose, to the end of the tail in a straight horizontal line along its deck. The width dimensions to be a maximum aggregate of 26.75 cm (10.5 inches).

SWIM FINS

Bodysurfing fins may be worn throughout the entire event.

THE EVENTS

THE LENGTH OF RIDE EVENT: TAG TEAM

During the length of ride event, every single member of each team is required to score at least one wave.

Once an active bodysurfer has completed his/her final wave they will signal their completion and make their way into shore. Once the signal has been made or an obvious movement towards returning to shore the next team member may enter the water through the designated flagged zone to commence their turn.

Heat duration

50 mins 

Wave Count

Each bodysurfer can score up to 4 waves but only their best wave will score

Judging

Judges will be using the general judging criteria but will be focusing on the length of ride within the critical sections of the wave. Tricks will not earn extra points unless they purposefully extend the ride.

Points on offer

At the end of the heat, the best wave from each individual will be added up and then divided by 10 (the number of team members) to give an overall average team score out of 10.

THE TRICKS EVENT: TAG TEAM

During the tricks event every single member of each team is required to score at least one wave.

Once an active bodysurfer has completed his/her final wave they will signal their completion and make their way into shore. Once the signal has been made or an obvious movement towards returning to shore the next team member may enter the water through the designated flagged zone to commence their turn.

Heat duration

50 mins 

Wave Count

Each bodysurfer can score up to 4 waves but only their best wave will score

Judging

Judges will be using the general judging criteria but will be focusing on the execution, difficulty, combination and flow of bodysurfing tricks within the critical sections of the wave.

Points on offer

At the end of the heat, the best wave from each individual will be added up and then divided by 10 (the number of team members) to give an overall average team score out of 10.

THE INDIVIDUAL HEATS

Each individual heat will involve one bodysurfer from each squad battling it out against the other bodysurfers from within their pool.
There will be 7 competitors in the water for each heat.

Heat duration:

 15 mins

Wave count:

Max 10 waves - Top 2 score

Judging

General judging criteria apply (see above)

Points on offer (for each pool)

1st place: 0.3 added to overall team average out of 10

2nd place: 0.2 added to overall team average out of 10

3rd Place: 0.1 added to overall team average out of 10

THE FIN SPRINT

4 members from each team will run in a 4 x 50m relay race on the sand, wearing the fins they have used to compete in the water.

A false start will result in automatic disqualification

A handplane must be used as the teams baton.

Points on offer

1st place: 0.3 added to overall team average out of 10

2nd place: 0.2 added to overall team average out of 10

3rd Place: 0.1 added to overall team average out of 10

BONUS POINTS

Female squad members : 0.1 added to overall team average for each female member

Under 16 squad members : 0.1 added to overall team average for each under 16 member