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Rules

1. CHECK-IN – All contestants must check-in a half-hour before their heat to sign waiver(s) and pay their entry fee if they haven’t already. 

2. HEATS are 15 minutes. Final heats are 15 minutes, unless otherwise announced at the contest. 

3. Each heat will begin and end with one horn blast. A five-minute warning will be given with TWO horn blasts. At the conclusion of the heat, competitors must immediately return to the beach as the next heat begins. If a competitor stands up before the beginning of their heat, he/she will receive a “0” score for his/her highest scoring wave in that heat. Exiting competitors must not stand up after the conclusion of their heat. Violation of this will result in a deduction of the lowest scoring wave of the competitor's heat total. 

4. In all water starts, competitors may enter the water at the five-minute warning (two horn blasts). Competitors waiting for their heat to start must stay clear of the heat in progress and must paddle to either side of the main contest area. Failure to do so will result in a paddling interference, with a loss of the lowest scoring wave in that competitor's wave total. 

5. EQUIPMENT – Longboards are at least 9’0 or 3 ft over a contestant’s head. Shortboards are 18” or less over contestant’s head but cannot be over 7’4”. No paddling gloves are permitted. Contestants assume responsibility if not using a leash. 

6. WAVE COUNT – Maximum wave count for each surfer in a heat is 4. The best 3 of your four waves will be used to tally your total score. If you catch more than four waves in your heat, your highest scoring wave will be deducted each time you take a wave over the maximum of 4 waves. 

7. INTERFERENCE & WAVE POSSESSION 

a) The first rider up, closest to the curl, has wave possession. In the event that two riders stand up at the same time, the rider closest to the curl has possession. 

b) In the event that two riders stand up on an unbroken wave, the first competitor up has possession. (A standard reef and beach break rule). The other rider may take off in the opposite direction if, by doing so, they won't interfere with the other rider. To have possession of a wave, the rider must be on his/her feet in front of or in the curl after the first turn. Any action which impedes a contestant riding or taking off on a wave by dropping in, taking off, or paddling in front of the rider in possession will result in a SURFING INTERFERENCE and the infringer will lose his/her highest scoring wave in that heat. In cases where a rider is in front of another unknowingly or so appears to judges and if the rider exits with no impedance, no interference shall be called. (No harm, no foul). 

8. JUDGING will be on a 10-point system with half points. Competitors will be judged on style, wave selection, length of ride and controlled functional maneuvers. Shuffling, hopping back and forth and flapping on the surfboard – unless it is deemed integral in staying in a wave that is backing off before reforming on the inside - will be considered poor style and will not be scored as high as walking or stylish radical maneuvers. 

9. PROTESTS must be filed in writing and placed in a protest box or tin within 30 minutes of the conclusion of the heat in question. You must speak with Izzy Sczcepaniak. 

10. SPORTSMANSHIP – All contestants must demonstrate good sportsmanship. Any contestant who argues with a judge’s decision, uses profanity, fights, is overly aggressive to the point where judges think that it is not in the best interest of the contest, that individual will be disqualified. If you show up with the aloha spirit, it will make the whole contest mo’ bettah. 

11. The JACK HANSEN RULE: Use of words such as "geezers", "curmudgeons", "Old Farts" and other ageist, pejorative terms are strictly prohibited before, during and after the contest. 

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Registration

Men and women “Kupuna” surfers age 40 plus have the option of surfing in all three different sub-divisions – Shortboard, Longboard and Intergenerational Team division – or any combination thereof.  The entry fee of $80 covers participation in all sub-divisions.  In other words, surfers age 40 and over can surf in one, two, or three of the above-mentioned sub-divisions.  We just need to know in advance so that we can include each surfer in all of the sub-divisions they want to compete in.      

Each contestant's entry fee includes a chance to win one or more hand-crafted trophies.  They will also receive a box lunch at the beach and a T-shirt.  A limited number of box lunches will be available for purchase by friends of the contest as well.  A limited number of T-shirts will also be available for sale on the day of the contest (current year Kahuna Kupuna T-shirts are $25.00).  Again, all contestants will receive a complimentary T-shirt.  

Contestants can register and pay their entry fee through this secure Eventbrite link or can fill out a registration form and send a check to the address below payable to Pacifica's Environmental Family (“PEF” is good enough) with a memo that reads: “Kupuna for PEF”: 

NOTE: PEF is a non-profit organization. If you’re going to send a check, please make them out to PEF. 

All contestants will receive one free T-shirt with your registration (design coming soon!). If you would like to purchase extra t-shirts, or if you are not a contestant but you would still like to buy one of these beautiful T-shirts (and help a great local organization!), please click on the secure PayPal link below or send a check  payable to Pacifica's Environmental Family (“PEF” is good enough) with a memo that reads “KKC T-shirt” to the address below: