Running a grassroots surf comp

A good grassroots surf comp does more than crown a winner. It brings groms into the water, gives the locals a reason to look after their break and shows the town that surfing belongs to everyone. You don't need sponsors or scoring software. You need the lineup on side, the water safe and a swell window people can plan around.

1. 01

   Start with the locals and the lineup

   Every break has its regulars. Talk to them before you talk to anyone else. Ask which spot suits a contest, which tides work, and when the beach is quietest. Bring a respected local onto the organising group. A comp that has the lineup's blessing runs smoothly. One dropped on them from outside can sour a beach for years.

2. 02

   Sort permits, lifeguards and insurance

   Contact whoever manages the foreshore, usually the council, to book the beach area and ask about any event permit. Speak to the local lifeguard or surf lifesaving service early and agree how they will support the day. Confirm public liability cover for the event. Anyone working with under-18s should hold the right background checks for your country.

3. 03

   Choose a simple heat format

   Keep it accessible. Twenty minute heats of three or four surfers, best two waves counted, work for most grassroots events. Run separate divisions for groms, open, women and longboard if numbers allow. An expression session or team tag event is a great way to include surfers who don't want a formal contest. Scoring can be done on paper with three local judges.

4. 04

   Pick a swell window, not a single date

   Surf is unpredictable. Set a window of one to two weeks and make the final call two or three days out based on the forecast. Tell entrants how and when the call will be made. Have a minimum wave height and a plan for onshore winds, and be ready to move to a nearby break if the main spot is flat or blown out.

5. 05

   Plan water safety and beach setup

   Write a short risk assessment covering rips, crowds, weather and first aid. Have a named first aider, a water safety person on a board or ski, and a clear signal system such as a horn and coloured flags for heat start and finish. Set up a gazebo for judges, a tally board, coloured rash vests, water and a sign-in table. Keep a lane clear for free surfers who aren't competing.

6. 06

   Get the word out

   Start four weeks out. Post flyers at surf shops, cafes and clubhouses, and ask local surfers to share in their group chats. List the comp on the HORNGRY events page so surfers nearby can find it for free. Be clear about divisions, entry fee if any, the swell window and how the call will be announced.

7. 07

   Leave the beach better than you found it

   Finish with a beach clean that everyone joins, prizes included. Thank the lifeguards and the free surfers who shared the water. Collect a few photos and quotes with consent, share results with the club and council, and agree the next event before everyone goes home. One comp is a fun day. An annual one becomes part of the town.

Common questions

Do I need a permit to run a surf contest?

Usually you need permission from whoever manages the beach, often the local council. Rules vary by country and area, so contact them early and ask exactly what they need.

What if there are no waves on the day?

Use a swell window instead of a fixed date, and decide two or three days out. Have a backup break nearby and a clear way to tell entrants if the event moves or is postponed.

How many judges do we need?

Three judges is a good minimum for a grassroots event. Use experienced local surfers, brief them on the scoring scale beforehand and rotate them so nobody judges a heat they know well.

How do we avoid upsetting surfers who aren't competing?

Talk to the lineup beforehand, use only part of the beach, keep heats to the times you announced and leave space for free surfing. Finishing with a beach clean goes a long way too.