The serious bit, the rules...
World Belly Board Championship Heats
These are the slightly more serious heats for the World Title. Approximately 15 heats with 7 competitors per heat (length of heat between 5 and 10 minutes depending on the number of entrants).
Judges will be looking for the length of ride, wave selection, change of direction, style and the most radical manoeuvres in the most critical part of the wave, i.e. the curl.
Competitors should read their name, heat number and cap colour and be ready to surf 5 minutes before the start of their heat. When the horn sounds for the end of one heat, then that also signals the start of the next heat and competitors should exit or enter the water.
The surfer nearest the curl has right of way and any competitor ‘dropping in’ might be penalised.
Expression session/fun Heats
Expression session/fun heats to be run before the World Championship Heats. Two 10 minute heats – ladies first (naturally!), then men, on mass! These first two fun heats follow the press call/photo shoot. Judges will be looking for style, sportsmanship, length of ride and a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’.
Competitors
All competitors take part, at their own risk. The organisers accept no responsibility for accidents or injuries. All competitors must read the safety policy and listen to a safety briefing.
Boards
WBBC competition boards should be less than 5ft in length, no wider than 2ft and no more than ¾” in thickness. They should be made of wood (fibreglass and composites acceptable in the fun heats as are fins, flippers and small skegs).
Swimwear
Bathing Costumes only, no wetsuits allowed. Wetsuit/neoprene boots acceptable (if weever fish are present). Colour coded swim caps must be worn during Championship Heats to aid identification by the judges.