DIGITAL QUALIFIER RULES

WAVE CAPTURE WINDOW: All waves must have been caught in winter between the dates of 01/10/25 and 31/05/26.

WAVE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: All waves must be submitted via this form by 31/05/26.

SINGLE CLIP SUBMISSION: We’ll only judge one wave per surfer, so submit your best wave from the winter season.

VIDEO OR PHOTO SEQUENCES ONLY: No single images will be accepted. If you do submit a photo sequence, it must showcase the drop in and the majority of the ride.

CAMERA METADATA REQUIRED: To confirm that the wave was caught during the Wave Capture Window, the camera metadata must verify the date.

WAVES FROM THE 2024 MAIN EVENT ARE INELIGIBLE: To maintain an even playing field, submissions must be from free surf sessions, not from last year’s Main Event.

RULES: No Jetski supported placement, no step off, no spotter support and the wave have to be finsihed standing in the bottom of the wave.

1. Wave Size (Most Important)

• The primary factor in big wave surfing is the size of the wave ridden. Judges reward surfers for catching the biggest, most critical waves.
• Surfers are expected to paddle into and drop down waves that are massive, often 20+ feet (measured from the back or face of the wave).

2. Commitment & Degree of Difficulty

• Commitment reflects the surfer’s willingness to paddle into dangerous, critical sections of the wave. This shows fearlessness and bravery.
• Degree of difficulty looks at how challenging the wave is to ride based on its steepness, speed, and power. The more challenging the wave, the higher the score.

3. Control & Maneuvering

• Control refers to how well the surfer maintains balance and stability through critical parts of the wave, particularly during the drop and high-speed sections.
• Judges look at the surfer’s ability to perform controlled maneuvers like bottom turns, rail grabs, and cutbacks despite the enormous power of the wave.
• Clean exits and avoiding wipeouts are crucial for maximizing control points.

4. Positioning

• Positioning is about being in the optimal spot to catch the biggest, cleanest waves. It also includes taking off from the most critical part of the wave (i.e., the peak or the steepest, most vertical point).
• Surfers who position themselves deeper on the peak and closer to the danger zone are often rewarded with higher scores.

5. Ride Length & Completion

• Judges consider the length of the ride—the longer the ride, especially through critical sections, the higher the score.
• Successfully completing the wave (i.e., making it all the way to the end of the ride or exiting cleanly) is important. Wiping out early in the ride will reduce the score significantly.

6. Flow & Style

• Judges also reward surfers for their style and flow on the wave. This refers to how smoothly and confidently they handle the ride.
• A surfer who remains fluid and relaxed, despite the challenging conditions, generally scores better.
• A graceful, stylish exit adds to the overall impression.

7. Innovation & Progression

• Although traditional maneuvers are often expected in big wave surfing, innovation is sometimes rewarded if the surfer manages to pull off new or daring moves.
• Surfing aggressively, taking risks, and pushing the boundaries of what can be done on giant waves adds points for progression.

8. Risk Factor

• Riding the biggest, most dangerous waves with minimal safety equipment and pushing the limits of what’s possible (e.g., surfing close to rocks or handling multiple barrels) is part of the risk factor evaluation.
• Wave entry points that require dropping in under extremely critical conditions (steeper angles, thicker lips) are rewarded.

Scoring System

• Scores typically range from 1 to 10 points, with each wave scored independently by a panel of judges.
• The best two or three scores from a surfer’s rides may be combined to form their final score.
• Perfect 10s are extremely rare and are awarded for near-flawless rides involving the largest, most critical waves.

Additional Considerations:

• Conditions: Judges account for the day’s conditions (wind, swell direction, etc.) and how they affect the difficulty of surfing.
• Safety protocols: Surfers must follow safety rules, such as using safety vests, even though these are not part of the scoring itself.

These criteria ensure that surfers are judged fairly based on their bravery, skill, and technical proficiency in handling some of the most dangerous waves in the world.

Terms and Conditions for Qualification to Final Big Wave Surfing Paddle-In Competition

1. Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

By submitting your digital qualification entry for the final Big Wave Surfing Paddle-In Competition (the “Event”) at Nazaré, Portugal (the “Location”), you agree to these Terms and Conditions, which govern your participation in the qualification process and the Event itself.

2. Digital Submission and Qualification Process

• The qualification process is conducted through digital submission of video footage demonstrating your ability to paddle-in and surf big waves.
• Submitted videos will be reviewed by an appointed panel, and surfers will be selected based on their performance as judged by the panel.
• Submission of videos does not guarantee qualification for the final Event.

3. No Liability for Participation in Qualification

• The qualification process requires surfers to surf large, powerful waves, often in unpredictable conditions. By participating, you acknowledge that surfing big waves, particularly at spots such as Nazaré, is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death.
• The Event organizers do not provide any form of supervision, training, or safety measures during the digital qualification process. It is the sole responsibility of the surfers to ensure their own safety while attempting to qualify.
• All participants are solely responsible for their personal safety, including the use of appropriate gear, safety measures, and obtaining local knowledge about the conditions at the surf spots they choose.

4. Assumption of Risk

• By submitting your digital entry, you acknowledge and agree that:
  • You are voluntarily participating in the qualification process and are aware of the risks involved.
  • You are fully responsible for your actions and decisions regarding your participation, and you voluntarily assume all risks associated with surfing large waves, including but not limited to physical injury, mental distress, or death.

5. Waiver of Liability

• The Event organizers, sponsors, partners, and affiliates are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage arising out of your participation in the qualification process, including your attempts to surf big waves to create video submissions.
• You agree to release and hold harmless the Event organizers from any claims, liabilities, or damages that may arise as a result of your participation in the qualification process or the final Event.

6. Responsibility for Medical Insurance and Health

• Surfers are responsible for maintaining their own personal health insurance coverage. The Event organizers do not provide any form of medical insurance or coverage for participants in the qualification process or the final Event.
• In the event of injury, illness, or accident, the participant is solely responsible for all associated medical costs.

7. Acknowledgment of Dangerous Conditions

• Nazaré, Portugal, is known for producing some of the largest and most dangerous waves in the world. The conditions at Nazaré are unpredictable and potentially life-threatening.
• Surfers must use their judgment in evaluating whether they are physically capable of participating safely in such conditions. The organizers take no responsibility for any harm that may occur before, during, or after the qualification process or the final Event.

8. Rights to Submitted Content

• By submitting video footage as part of the qualification process, you grant the Event organizers the right to use your submission for promotional purposes, including but not limited to online promotion, television broadcasts, and social media channels.
• You confirm that all content submitted is original and that you have the rights to grant such permission for its use.

9. Participation in the Final Event

• If qualified, participants must make their own travel and accommodation arrangements to attend the final Event at Nazaré, Portugal.
• The Event organizers will provide details of the final Event but will not be responsible for any personal arrangements, logistics, or expenses incurred by the participants.
• Participation in the final Event is conditional upon agreeing to further terms and conditions specific to the Event, including rules around safety and conduct at the competition.

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

• These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Portugal. Any disputes arising out of these Terms and Conditions will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Portugal.

By submitting a video for qualification, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.