Event Format
JIM BEAM SURFTAG FORMAT / RULES
  • All competitors must be over 21 years old on the day of the event
  • Five (5) surfers per team
  • Team order must be submitted prior to the start of each heat
  • 45 minute to one hour heats - may be altered by contest director
  • In relay style each surfer is to catch three waves and return to the tag area
  • Every surfers second wave is worth double points (called Powerwave)
  • Bonus points on offer for 5th surfer returning to the tag area before the time limit: 1st team home = 4 points; 2nd team = 3points; 3rd team = 2 points; 4th team = 1 point

INTERFERENCE

Seven points will be deducted from the offending surfer's total score for an interference call. The surfer interfered with will have the option to surf another wave. The wave ridden by the offending surfer will count as one of their three scoring rides.

COUNT BACKS

If two or more teams are tied at the completion of a heat, each team's five Powerwaves will be tabulated. If still tied a twelve minute surf - off involving one surfer from each team will take place. Beach start with three waves ridden per surfer, second wave will be a Powerwave worth double points. Bonus points will be rewarded as listed above for returning to the tag area before the time limit. If still tied surf-offs will be repeated until a result is established.

DRAW

12-16 teams: Single elimination

  • Quarterfinal Round: Four heats with 3-4 teams per heat - top two finishers in each heat advance to the semifinal
  • Semifinal Round: Top two teams in each 4-team heat advance to the finals
  • Finals: One four team heat

9-11 teams: Teams that don't get out of the first round have a second chance to make the semifinals:

  • Quarterfinal Round: Three heats with 3-4 teams per heat - top two finishers in each heat advance to the semi-final
  • Second chance heat: One 3-5 team heat, top two teams advance to semifinals
  • Semifinal Round: Top two teams in each 4-team heat advance to the finals
  • Finals: One four team heat

PRIZE MONEY BREAKDOWN (subject to change):

Place / Qualifying Events / Finals Event
13th (4 teams) / $75 / $100
9th (4 teams) / $150 / $150
7th (2 teams) / $200 / $250
5th (1 team) / $300 / $300
4th (1 team) / $500 / $1000
3rd (1 team) / $600 / $1200
2nd (1 team) / $800 / $2000
1st (1 team) / $1500 / $4000

FAQ's

  • Participants must be 21
  • There is no entry fee
  • Short board competition
  • Up to 16 teams per event - 5 surfers per team
  • Each qualifying event offers $5,000 in prize money distributed among participating clubs/teams.
  • The final event will offer $10,000 in prize money distributed among the participating clubs/teams.

FORMAT

  • Athletes are scored using standard event criteria.
  • Depending on the number of teams entered, qualifying events may feature a second chance bracket for clubs that do not advance out of the first round. Qualifying events offer points that lead to seeding in the final event.
  • Team members scores are combined at the conclusion of the heat (scores are cumulative and each wave counts).
  • Tag team - Each club/team enters 5 short board surfers into each heat. Once a surfer rides 3 waves he comes in and tags his teammate. His/her teammate rides 3 waves, and so on.
  • Every surfer's second wave is worth double points, this is called the Powerwave.
  • Teams receive bonus points if all 3 waves per athlete are ridden and the fifth surfer returns to the tag area before the allotted heat time.

CLUB / TEAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Beam Surf Tag logo on the club's web site
  • Participants wear contest jersey at events
  • Participants place Jim Beam Surftag sticker on board during contests
  • At least one club representative at each Draw Party and official event function
  • Clubs or teams may represent existing organization, specific break, surf shop or bar. Jim Beam Surftag will determine if clubs/teams are legitimate.