09/28/2026
Ever wondered how surf competitions are actually scored? Five judges, each wave 0.1 to 10, top and bottom score dropped, two best waves count. That’s the whole system, and it hasn’t changed much in decades.
Here’s the part that bugs us. Speed, power and flow are in the WSL judging criteria. So is progression, which usually means airs. But nothing in a surf contest measures speed or airtime. It’s five people in a tower calling it by eye.
That’s why we built the RipBit. It’s a 1.5 gram surf sensor that mounts on the tail of your board and tracks speed, turn count, airtime and board dynamics on every wave, synced to your video. Surf coaches use it for training. Competitive surfers use it to benchmark against judging criteria. And at wave pools and surf parks, where every surfer gets the same wave, the surf performance data finally compares apples to apples.
So we’re curious what the surf community thinks. Should surf judges see the numbers? Should it stay on the broadcast for fans, like the speed readout in every other sport? Or does surf judging stay by eye?
Pick one and tell us why. Real answers from surf coaches, contest judges, and anyone who’s surfed a heat at Waco Surf, Surf Ranch, or any wave pool are the ones we want.
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Experience the next wave of surf technology. The RipBit delivers real-time analytics, personalized insights, and community-driven progress, all in one seamless platform. More than just data, Surf One transforms how you approach each session - more focused, more driven, more precise.
Get your RipBit today, put our traction pad on your favorite board, mount the sensor, and take your surfing to the next level.
