Classification and Surf Classes

Classification Procedure for Athlete Assessment

1. Athlete will sign up for contest and fill out waiver.

2. Athlete will be classified 1-2 days prior to event.

3. Classification assessments will be conducted at the event site and may include an in the water observation.

4. Athlete will be allocated a surf class based on their classification assessment.

5. Athletes have the right to protest and appeal* their allocated surf class and shall do so with the Director of Classification and the Contest Director.

6. Once athletes are allocated a surf class, and they surf in the first contest with this surf class, they are confirmed this class. The athlete will not need to be reclassified unless they have a change of status.

7. An Athlete that does not meet the minimal eligibility requirements will not be allotted a surf class and will be designated as “ineligible to compete.”
 

*Protest and Appeal Process: If an athlete does not agree with their allocated surf class, two new classifiers will classify the athlete. Then, the four classifiers will compare classification and discuss the case to determine the appropriate surf class for the athlete. An in the water observation may be necessary.

SURF CLASS

DESCRIPTIONS

ELIGIBLE CLASS IMPAIRMENTS

Upper Limb Standing (ULS)

Any surfer who rides the wave standing with an upper limb amputation or deficiency or short stature.

Impaired PROM
Impaired muscle power
Limb deficiency
Short stature
Hypertonia. Ataxia, Athetosis

Below the Knee Standing (BKS)

Any surfer that rides the board in a standing position with a below the knee amputation, lower limb deficiency.

Impaired PROM
Impaired muscle power
Limb deficiency
Leg length difference
Hypertonia. Ataxia, Athetosis

Above the Knee Standing (AKS)

Any surfer that rides the board in a standing position with an above the knee amputation or limb deficiency.

Impaired PROM
Impaired muscle power
Limb deficiency
Hypertonia. Ataxia, Athetosis

Any Knee Kneeling (AKK)

Any surfer that rides the board in a kneeling position with an above the knee amputation, bilateral below knee amputations, or lower limb deficiency or impairment.

Impaired PROM
Impaired muscle power
Limb deficiency
Leg length difference

Waveski

Any surfer that rides a board in a sitting position with trunk and/or lower limb deficiency.

Impaired PROM
Impaired muscle power
Limb deficiency
Hypertonia. Ataxia, Athetosis

Unassisted Prone (UP)

Any surfer that rides the wave in a prone position with lower limb and trunk deficiency that does NOT require assistance paddling into a wave and getting back on the board safely.

Impaired PROM
Impaired muscle power
Hypertonia. Ataxia, Athetosis

Prone Assist (PA)

Any surfer that rides the wave in a prone position with arm, trunk and lower limb deficiency that DOES require assistance paddling into waves and getting back onto the board safely.

Impaired PROM
Impaired muscle power
Limb deficiency
Hypertonia. Ataxia, Athetosis

Blind/No Vision (BNV)

Any surfer that rides the wave in a standing position with a vision impairment of legal blindness.

Vision Impairment-
Legal Blindness
20/200+

Blind/Low/Partial Vision (BPV)

Any surfer that rides the wave in a standing position with a vision impairment of legal blindness.

Vision Impairment-
partial vision 20/70-20/200
or 50% visual field loss

Any division can be split by gender (Men/Women) providing there are enough contestants to fill each division by gender (Minimum three participants).

Classification and Bylaws manuals can be obtained at any World Championship Tour event.