HSA VENUES (waves) From the Judges Perspective

Honolua Cave

Honolua Cave is a dominant right. Basically a “single direction wave, basically a point break”. You can go left from the peak, but your scoring potential is significantly lower. The inside position has unconditional right of way (ROW).

During normal Cave conditions, judges will be looking for perfect tube rides. Basic barrel criteria are length and clean exit. Also, judges are looking for powerful well-timed bottom turns setting the rider up for dynamic maneuvers in the critical sections. Honolua is a very fast wave and going to the bottom takes great skill, so attacking the lip line and holding rail is huge. Cave rights may provide a long ride to perform multiple Maneuvers, so the initial first section will have a weighted influence on the score.

As always, keep in mind the standard judging criteria:

• Commitment and degree of difficulty
• Innovative and progressive maneuvers
• Combination of major maneuvers
• Variety of maneuvers
• Speed, power, and Flow

 

Ho’okipa Pavils

Pavils is a dominant Right with a short left. You can go left from the peak, but your scoring potential may be significantly lower, yet one maneuver 10’s are possible in the HSA. The inside position at the point of take-off has unconditional right of way (ROW) in the direction they choose.

During normal Pavils conditions judges will be looking for powerful well timed bottom turns setting the rider up for dynamic maneuvers in the critical sections, attacking the lip line and holding your rail. Pavils Rights provide a long ride to perform multiple Maneuvers, so the initial first section will have weighted influence on the score and accordingly down the line.

Girly bowl is an optional zone on big North Shore conditions, yet any surfer paddling outside to the peak will be rewarded and their scale will be much higher.

As always, keep in mind the standard judging criteria:

• Commitment and degree of difficulty
• Innovative and progressive maneuvers
• Combination of major maneuvers
• Variety of maneuvers
• Speed, power and Flow

 

Kahului Harbor

Kahului Harbor is a single peak (left and right breaking wave) The surfer considered to have the inside position at the initial point of takeoff has right of way (ROW) in the direction they choose. Interference penalties can be common in non-priority heats.

During normal Harbor conditions judges will be looking for powerful top to bottom surfing, on rail bottom turns setting the rider up for dynamic maneuvers in the critical sections. Harbor lefts may provide a long ride to perform a combination multiple Maneuvers, so the initial first section will have weighted influence on the score. Wind conditions can create an ideal set-up for aerial maneuvers and high scores. Lengthy left hand rides with tiny redundant turns do not increase scores and rarely factor in except in very slight separations between rides.

When conditions are perfect, Kahului Harbor can barrel left and especially right and long clean tubes with clean exits will also be rewarded with good to excellent scores.

As always, keep in mind the standard judging criteria:

• Commitment and degree of difficulty
• Innovative and progressive maneuvers
• Combination of major maneuvers
• Variety of maneuvers
• Speed, power and Flow

 

Koki

Koki is a beach break (multiple random peaks). Separate peaks that may meet, the first surfer to their feet has unconditional right of way (ROW). If you are unsure, pull out.

The contest zone centers at the main peak directly in front of the judges, this is also the priority zone. There is another take off spot to the south and to the north as well as a well-defined sometimes barreling left far to the north in the “free surf” zone. All zones can be scored, including the inside, but the free surf zone is not cleared of non-contestants and can be overlooked.

During normal Koki conditions judges will be looking for powerful top to bottom surfing with on rail bottom turns setting the rider up for dynamic maneuvers in the critical sections, attacking the lip line and holding your rail. A combination of multiple Maneuvers may not be possible, so the initial first section will have weighted influence on the score.

When conditions are perfect and glassy, Koki beach can barrel left and right and long clean tubes with clean exits will also be rewarded with good to excellent scores.

As always, keep in mind the standard judging criteria:

• Commitment and degree of difficulty
• Innovative and progressive maneuvers
• Combination of major maneuvers
• Variety of maneuvers
• Speed, power and Flow

 

Lahaina Harbor

Lahaina Harbor is a single peak (left and right breaking wave) The surfer considered to have the inside position at the initial point of takeoff has right of way (ROW) in the direction they choose. Due to the unnatural boat channel, the peak if very shifty and tricky to know where the actual peak will be on takeoff. Interference penalties are common in non-priority heats.

During normal Harbor conditions judges will be looking for powerful top to bottom surfing, on rail bottom turns setting the rider up for dynamic maneuvers in the critical sections. Harbor lefts may provide a long ride to perform a combination multiple Maneuvers, so the initial first section will have weighted influence on the score. Low tide can make the lefts very fast and sometimes closeout. Harbor rights provides for a couple of initial big maneuvers, but is limited due to the channel with a reform that leads to multiple low scoring cutbacks and minor finishing turns.

When conditions are perfect, Lahaina Harbor can barrel left and right and long clean tubes with clean exits will also be rewarded with good to excellent scores.

As always, keep in mind the standard judging criteria:

• Commitment and degree of difficulty
• Innovative and progressive maneuvers
• Combination of major maneuvers
• Variety of maneuvers
• Speed, power and Flow

 

Lahaina Breakwall

Breakwall is a dominant left. Basically a “single direction wave”. You can go right from the peak, but your scoring potential is significantly lower. The inside position has unconditional right of way (ROW).

During normal Breakwall conditions judges will be looking for powerful well timed bottom turns setting the rider up for dynamic maneuvers in the critical sections. Breakwall lefts may provide a long ride to perform multiple Maneuvers, so the initial first section will have weighted influence on the score.

When conditions are perfect, Breakwall can barrel and long clean tubes with clean exits will also be rewarded with good to excellent scores.

As always, keep in mind the standard judging criteria:

• Commitment and degree of difficulty
• Innovative and progressive maneuvers
• Combination of major maneuvers
• Variety of maneuvers
• Speed, power and Flow