WWA WAKE PARK RULES

Overview:

1.  One or a combination of 2 formats will be used in competition. The traditional heat format and/or a head to head format.

2. There will be a minimum of two rounds, a Qualification and/or Semifinal Round, and a Final Round.

3. Competitors may perform any number of tricks they choose in any order they wish. Riders are encouraged to put together a creative and smooth flowing run with a wide variety of tricks. Each trick should be done as cleanly as possible and taken to its limit. Riders will be judged on the technical difficulty, intensity and proficiency of their tricks, the variety and combination of tricks performed, as well as the use of obstacles and overall fluidity of the run.

4. Speed will be at the discretion of the rider but must be within the maximum and minimum tolerances allowed for the site.  The speed must remain constant while the rider is in the course.

The Course:

1. The end of the course will be marked by a buoy where the rider should exit. The buoy will be placed at a predetermined distance after the starting dock. If conditions are appropriate, an obstacle such as a kicker or rail may also be used as the finish point on the course.

2. A “last fall” buoy will be placed near the end of the course. This buoy will mark where the rider can have their last fall. If the rider’s first fall is past this buoy, the fall will end the rider’s run. This buoy is similar to the “3/4” buoy in a traditional wakeboard pass.

3.  Obstacles in the course will be used at the rider’s own risk and helmets are required for the use of all obstacles. If a rider hits an obstacle without a helmet, he/she will be disqualified from the competition.

4. For safety reasons, if a rider falls in front of an obstacle he/she must let go of the handle or they will be disqualified.

5. Any tricks performed outside of the course will NOT be scored.

The Run:

1. Each run will consist of one full lap and end at the buoy or obstacle placed after the starting dock. The scoring of the run will begin immediately off the dock and end at the buoy or obstacle designated as the end of the course.

2.  Each run will consist of combinations of inverted tricks, spins, grabs, and the use of obstacles. Riders may perform any tricks they choose in any order they wish.

3. There will be NO wildcard tricks in this format.

4. Repetition of tricks in a run is NOT allowed, and will not be scored.

5. For safety reasons, any tricks performed using the pull of a deflection pulley or corner will NOT be scored.

Falls:

1. Riders in wakeboard divisions will be allowed one fall and will be picked up from the point of their fall to continue the run. Riders who fall will need to immediately swim back and grab the handle for a water start. They will be given one more attempt to complete their pass. The second fall will end the rider's run. If a rider falls on the attempted water start, this will count as their second fall. 

2. Due to the loss of course space and momentum from the water start, a fall will not hurt the rider's composition score, however, the trick the rider fell on will not be counted in the overall score, only those tricks performed before or after the fall.

3. If a rider falls and drags on the cable (where either their stomach or back touches the water) but is able to recover and continue the run, the trick the rider fell on will NOT be scored.  All tricks performed before and after, however, will be scored.

Judging:

1. A minimum of 3 judges will be used for all divisions.

2. Judging will be subjective only. There are no predetermined points for any tricks.  Judging of the run begins when the rider enters the course and ends when the rider exits the course or falls for the final time. Tricks performed outside of the course will not be scored.

3. Judges will award a maximum of 10 points to each rider based on their overall impression of the run.  The single score will reflect the judges interpretation of the riders run based on the following 3 criteria.

Composition
(This includes the overall look and impression of the run, the level of variety and creativity displayed by the rider, as well as the diversity of tricks performed in a flowing sequence with smooth transitions between moves).
Composition will account for 45% of the rider’s overall score.

Obstacles
(This includes any trick performed on an obstacle such as a rail, kicker, box, or wall)
Obstacles will account for 30% of the rider’s overall score.

Flats Tricks
(This includes any trick performed in the flats or open water area of the course)
Flat tricks will account for 25% of the rider’s overall score.

4. Judges will give a range for scoring to the first rider in each heat. This will provide a base for judging the remaining riders in the heat. The rider’s final score is used for placement purposes only in the heat.

5. Judges will look for the level of technical difficulty, intensity and perfection of each trick preformed. Is the trick landed safely and clean? Does the rider have good body position on the water, obstacle or in the air? Does the rider show personal style in the trick performed? Is the trick grabbed, boned, tweaked or shifted and for how long? How big did the rider go? For obstacles, did the rider ollie on, gap, spin or transfer? How controlled and balanced was the rider? How good is the approach or cut of each trick for the overall flow of the run?

6. In the Judge’s eyes, a better rider is one who throws a balanced variety of Inverts, Spins, Handle Passes, Heel Side, Toe Side, Switch, Blind, etc., as well as unique tricks using both the flats or open water and the obstacles in the course.

7. Re-rides may be granted at the sole discretion of the Chief Judge for failure of the cable system only.