Frequently Asked Questions
How Am I Scored?
To help prepare our contestants to surf nationally, all HSA Chapter's Judges scores our contestants based on the International Surfing Association's (ISA) Rulebook. Check the link below to read ISA's Rulebook, the scoring section is under 'Judging Criteria' in their PDF: https://isasurf.org/about-isa/isa-rulebook/
How Much Does It Cost to Enter an Event?
Here are the event prices for each chapter:
Hawai'i Island's (Big Island's) Event Price
How Do I Sign Up for an Event?
To ensure a smooth and easy process for our contestants, all HSA Chapters use Surf Signup. Below are the links to each HSA Chapter's Surf Signup where you can create an account, purchase a membership (when eligible), and signup for events:
Why Should I Purchase a Membership?
When you purchase a membership, you will receive discounted rates at each event you enter for the season. For example, on Oahu, you will pay a $100 yearly membership fee and pay $50 per event versus non-membership will pay $75 per event for the 2022 - 2023 season. Therefore, you can save up to $350!
How Much is it to be a Member?
Here are the membership prices for each chapter:
Hawai'i Island's (Big Island's) Membership Price
What are your payment options for Events and/or Memberships?
Since everything is done online via Surf Signup, we only accept credit card payments (MasterCard, Visa, or American Express).
For Beach Entries, we accept only cash or checks. Just keep in mind that beach entries do NOT guarantee you a spot, but you don't pay until you get into a division.
Does a Paid Membership on One Island, Include Other Islands?
Yes! Contact your chapter's leadership for a special code that will waive your online membership fee. Once you receive the code, please do the following:
- Visit our online registration site, Surf Signup, and then add the membership to your cart.
- Add all of the events you would like to enter.
- Paste or type in your discount code at check out. The entire membership fee will be removed from your cart AND the appropriate discounts will be taken out of each event that you enter.
Please email us at info@hawaiisurfingassociation.org if you have any questions/concerns.
What Do I Do Once I Purchase a Membership?
If you purchased a membership with your account on Surf Signup, the membership discounts will be automatically applied when you register for future events under the same Surf Signup account.
How do I qualify for the State Championship at Ala Moana Bowls?
For the Oahu Chapter, contestants will need to surf at *least five (5) HSA Oahu events, have an HSA Oahu membership, AND rank in the top six (6) of your division. Check your ratings here to see if you are eligible.
For the other HSA Chapters, please contact your chapter's leadership to confirm how you can qualify.
*As of 8/26/22, the director is now deciding what the new qualifications will be to qualify for the State Championship due to us implementing priority surfing this season. We will update this section once the director has finalized his decision.
HIC PRIME EVENT QUESTIONS
Does This Apply to All Islands?
No. This section is only for Oahu HIC PRIME events only. Each island has their own rules when it comes to hosting live scoring, so please contact your island director for more info on what their rules are.
What is HIC PRIME Contests?
Our HIC PRIME Contests are Sponsored by Hawaiian Island Creations (HIC), which utilizes Live Heats/Scoring software.
The purpose of the HIC PRIME Contest is to help prepare shortboard competitors to learn how live scoring works since it's used at Nationals, World Surf League (WSL), and more! Therefore, our HIC PRIME Contest is targeted towards competitors who are interested in surfing professionally/competitively.
Which Divisions Are Eligible for HIC PRIME Contests?
Here is the list of the HIC PRIME eligible divisions:
- Boys Shortboard 11 & Under
- Boys Shortboard 12 - 13
- Boys Shortboard 14 - 15
- Boys Shortboard 16 - 17
- Girls Shortboard 11 & Under
- Girls Shortboard 12 - 13
- Girls Shortboard 14 - 15
- Girls Shortboard 16 - 17
All other divisions will not be guaranteed at HIC PRIME events.
If we do decide to include your division, then it will be ran without the Live Heats software and the price will be the same as the non-HIC PRIME contests.
What Division Do I Sign Up For?
You register for the division based on the age you will be as of January 1st of that upcoming season's year.
For example, if you are registering for the 2024-2025 season, you will register for the age group based on your age as of January 1, 2025. For the 2025-2026 season, you will register for the age group based on your age as of January 1, 2026.
How Much is the HIC PRIME Contest?
For all HIC PRIME eligible divisions (please see question 2 regarding which divisions this applies to), the entry fee is $150. If you are doing a beach entry, then it will be $200.
For other non-HIC PRIME divisions, the entry fee is $75.
Where Do I Register?
We will primarily use Surf Sign-Up for our HIC PRIME Events.
In rare cases, we will use Live Heats.
When Can I Register?
We will have registration available 2 weeks before it closes. The registration will close 10 days before the start of the Event or until the division is full.
We will not guarantee slots if you contact us after the online registration closes.
What Happens After I Register for the Event?
Once the online registration closes, the heat draw (schedule) will be available by Wednesday of the week of the start of the event.
If you are new to our organization and our online registration closes, you should receive an email (the same email you use to register online) from Live Heats to set up an account. This account will allow you to show what events through Live Heats you competed in along with the place you finished. If you miss the registration deadline, then please select the "forgot password" option.
Can Anyone Register?
No. Only competitors with a HSA Oahu Season Membership can register for HIC PRIME Contests.
If you do not register for a membership at the same time or before registering for a HIC PRIME Contest, then we will automatically refund you.
Who Can Register for HSA Oahu Season Memberships?
Registration for the HSA Oahu season membership is open to individuals whose primary mailing address is on Oahu. If your primary mailing address is not on Oahu, we may need to refund your membership.
Can Neighbor Islands Participate at HIC PRIME Events?
As of 7/11/24, we will not allow neighbor island participants at our HIC PRIME Events. However, since there's been a recent influx in inquiries, our board will discuss whether this could be an option in the future.
Can I Request for a Refund or Receive Points if I don't Show Up?
For HIC PRIME Eligible divisions:
No, we will not be providing refunds to any competitors UNLESS there is an emergency, the competitor is sick or hurt, or loss of a family member. Competitors will need to show us proof to receive a refund or points.
In the event of flight cancellation or delay, refunds won't be issued. To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend booking your accommodations in advance.
NO POINTS will be given to competitors who don't show up, competitors will need to touch water to receive points.
For non-HIC PRIME Eligible divisions:
You can receive a refund or last place standing points if you do not show up. We just kindly ask to let us know as soon as possible if you are not planning on showing up and whether you want a refund, credit towards another contest or points.
What is the Purpose of Receiving Points?
The purpose of receiving points is to add to your ratings. You will have a rating if you have a current HSA Oahu season membership. Your rating allows you to be potentially eligible to surf at our State Championship at Ala Moana Bowls, which is required in order to surf at Nationals.
How Much Points Will I Receive?
You will receive double the points compared to our non-HIC PRIME contests.
How Are the Heats Generated?
Before every HIC PRIME Contest, we'll update and include each competitor's current HSA Oahu ranking next to their name. The Live Heats software will then organize heats according to these rankings.
If you don't have a ranking or if the HIC PRIME Contest is the first event of the season, we will leave the ranking blank and the Live Heats software will generate the heats accordingly.
What if There Are 5 People In a Heat?
In a heat of 5 people, the individual holding the highest rank within the division based on the latest HSA Oahu Rating will secure an automatic place in the final. We will run a 4-person SEMI heat and the top 3 advances to the final round.