Olympic Surfing: Everything you need to know for Paris 2024
Last Updated on March 25, 2024 by Matt Hapgood
Surfing has been added as an official sport for the first time in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
The inclusion of surfing has been a long-awaited and highly anticipated event for couch surfers, and actual surfers alike. The sport has come a long way since its inception and has finally gained recognition on the global stage.
The decision to include surfing in the Olympics was made in 2016 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Surfing will be a part of the Games for the first time and will be held at Tsurigasaki Beach, about 40 miles east of Tokyo.
The event will feature 48 surfers, 24 men and 24 women, competing in shortboard surfing- Eight more surfers than competed in surfing’s Olympic debut in Tokyo, with each country able to qualify a maximum of four surfers.
The event is expected to draw a large audience and will showcase the athleticism and skill required to excel in the sport of surfing.
2024 Olympic Surfing Qualification
So, here’s the updated list of who’s provisionally competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics:
Men
- Jordy Smith (RSA) | 2023 ISA World Surfing Games
- Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) | 2023 ISA World Surfing Games
- Billy Stairmand (NZL) | 2023 ISA World Surfing Games
- Kauli Vaast (FRA) | 2023 ISA World Surfing Games
- Filipe Toledo (BRA) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Ethan Ewing (AUS) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Griffin Colapinto (USA) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- John John Florence (HAW) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Jack Robinson (AUS) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Matthew McGillivray (RSA) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- João Chianca (BRA) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Alan Cleland Jr. (MEX) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Reo Inaba (JPN) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Lucca Mesinas (PER) | 2023 Pan American Games
- Alonso Correa (PER) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Andy Criere (ESP) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Joan Duru (FRA) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Tim Elter (GER) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Rio Waida (INA) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
Women
- Johanne Defay (FRA) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Brisa Hennessy (CRC) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Teresa Bonvalot (POR) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Sarah Baum (RSA) | 2023 ISA World Surfing Games
- Shino Matsuda (JPN) | 2023 ISA World Surfing Games
- Saffi Vette (NZL) | 2023 ISA World Surfing Games
- Vahine Fierro (FRA) | 2023 ISA World Surfing Games
- Carissa Moore (HAW) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Tyler Wright (AUS) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Molly Picklum (AUS) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Caroline Marks (AUS) | 2023 WSL Championship Tour
- Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) | 2023 Pan American Games
- Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Janire Gonzalez-Extabarri (ESP) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Sol Aguirre (PER) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Tainá Hinckel (BRA) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Yolanda Hopkins (POR) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Anat Lelior (ISR) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Siqi Yang (CHN) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
- Camilla Kemp (GER) | 2024 ISA World Surfing Games
History of Olympic Surfing
Surfing’s Olympic Debut
Surfing made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, marking a significant milestone for the sport. The decision to include surfing was made in 2016 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and it was met with excitement and anticipation from the surfing community.
The competition took place at Tsurigasaki Beach in Chiba, Japan, and featured 20 men and 20 women from around the world.
The surfers competed in a traditional heat format, with judges scoring each ride on a scale of 1 to 10. The top two surfers from each heat advanced to the next round, with the final round consisting of four surfers.
Evolution of Competition Format
The format for Olympic surfing has evolved over the years. At the 2020 Tokyo Games, the competition consisted of shortboard surfing, which is the most common form of surfing. However, in previous years, longboard and bodyboarding competitions were also held.
The scoring system has also changed over time. In the past, competitions were judged solely on the surfer’s ability to ride the wave.
However, modern competitions take into account the degree of difficulty, innovation, and style of each ride.
Despite the changes, the spirit of surfing remains the same. Olympic surfing is a celebration of the sport’s rich culture and history, as well as a showcase of the incredible athleticism and skill of the world’s best surfers.
Olympic Surfing Rules and Scoring
Judging Criteria
Surfing is a judged sport, and the judges use a set of criteria to evaluate each wave. The main criteria include the following:
- Commitment and degree of difficulty: Judges look for surfers who take on challenging waves and perform maneuvers that require a high degree of skill and control.
- Innovative and progressive maneuvers: Judges reward surfers who push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport by performing new and innovative maneuvers.
- Combination of major maneuvers: Surfers who can link together multiple maneuvers on a single wave will score higher than those who only perform one or two maneuvers.
- Variety of maneuvers: Judges look for surfers who can perform a variety of maneuvers, including turns, airs, and barrels.
- Speed, power, and flow: Judges evaluate the speed, power, and flow of each surfer’s performance, looking for surfers who can generate speed and power while maintaining a smooth and flowing style.
Judging and Points System
Now, for the scoring system used during the games, judges are looking at several key elements when riding the waves. They base their scores on the following:
- Execution: The difficulty and the execution of my maneuvers.
- Innovation: New, creative moves score higher, as long as I land them.
- Variety: Mixing up my maneuvers rather than repeating the same one.
- Combination: Linking several maneuvers in one wave fluidly boosts my score.
- Speed, Power, and Flow: The quality of my surfing in these three aspects.
Here’s a breakdown of the points system to keep in mind:
| Range | Description |
|---|---|
| 0.1 – 1.9 | Poor |
| 2.0 – 3.9 | Fair |
| 4.0 – 5.9 | Average |
| 6.0 – 7.9 | Good |
| 8.0 – 10.0 | Excellent |
The final score for each wave is the average of all judges’ scores after dropping the highest and lowest. The sum of the two best waves determines the surfers total heat score.
Competition Structure
The Olympic surfing competition consists of multiple rounds, with surfers competing head-to-head in a knockout format. Each heat lasts for 30 minutes, and surfers are judged on their top two waves. The surfer with the highest combined score advances to the next round, while the other surfer is eliminated.
In the early rounds, surfers are seeded based on their world ranking. As the competition progresses, the seeding is based on the results of the previous rounds. The final round consists of the top two surfers competing head-to-head for the gold medal.
In the event of a tie, the surfer with the highest single-wave score will be awarded the win. If there is still a tie, the surfer with the highest second-best wave score will be awarded the win. If there is still a tie, the judges will evaluate the surfers’ performances on their third-best waves.
Overall, Olympic surfing is a thrilling and dynamic sport that combines athleticism, skill, and creativity. With its unique judging criteria and competition structure, it promises to be one of the most exciting events at the Olympic Games.
Athletes and Qualification
Qualification Process
In Olympic surfing for 2024, there are a total of 48 surfers, 24 men and 24 women, who will compete in the Games. The qualification process for the sport is based on the World Surf League (WSL) rankings.
The top 10 eligible men and top 8 eligible women on the WSL Championship Tour (CT) rankings will automatically qualify for the Olympics. The remaining spots will be allocated to the highest-ranked surfers from countries that don’t have any surfers in the top 10 or 8, respectively.
These will be selected via the ISA games – results from 2023 and 2024 respectively.
Notable Olympic Surfers
There are several notable surfers who have qualified for the Olympics. Carissa Moore, a four-time world champion, will represent the United States in the women’s competition. Moore is considered one of the best surfers in the world and has dominated the sport for several years.
Another notable surfer is Gabriel Medina, a Brazilian who won the WSL Championship Tour in 2014 and 2018. Medina is known for his aggressive style and is a favorite to win the men’s competition.
Other notable surfers who have qualified for the Olympics include Stephanie Gilmore from Australia, who has won seven world titles, and Italo Ferreira from Brazil, who won the WSL Championship Tour in 2019. These surfers, along with the other athletes who have qualified, will compete for a chance to win the first-ever Olympic gold medal in surfing.
Olympic Surfing Venues
Olympic Surfing Locations
The 2024 Olympic Games will be held in Paris, France, and surfing will make its debut. The competition will take place in Tahiti, a French Polynesian island, which is renowned for its world-class waves and crystal-clear waters. The event will be held at Teahupo’o, a break that is famous for its massive barrels and challenging conditions.
Teahupo’o is located on the southwestern coast of Tahiti and is known for its powerful waves that can reach up to 10 feet or more. The break is situated on a shallow reef, which creates a steep and fast wave that is perfect for experienced surfers. The location is also known for its stunning natural beauty, with lush forests and mountains in the background.
The competition will be held over four days, and the surfers will be judged on their ability to ride the waves and perform maneuvers. The competition will feature both men’s and women’s events, with 20 surfers in each category. The surfers will be selected based on their performance in the World Surf League rankings.
In conclusion, the Olympic surfing competition will take place in Tahiti, at the Teahupo’o break. The location is known for its challenging and world-class waves, making it the perfect venue for the event. The competition will feature both men’s and women’s events, and the surfers will be judged on their ability to ride the waves and perform maneuvers.
