SL Surfing Association competitions come in all shapes and sized relative to waves and surfboard types these days. For competitions using the HP and LSD boards, a board rezzer is used so that all competitors will be surfing the same surfboard. The old school SSi boards are different and surfers have to provide their own board. There’s been some discussion lately about knowing whether or not you’ve got the right kind of SSi surfboard for a particular SLSA competition. Cierra Theriac has a great post on her blog that describes the different length categories of boards and which SSi scripts are sanctioned for competitions. The following is mostly stolen, er, paraphrased from an SLSA notecard that has been sent out with competition packs. Some of you may have also received a copy of the board length checker.
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To streamline the length of the competition and to make each surfer responsible for their actions, the SLSA directors have decided to do away with preliminary board checks. However, we will still perform random board checks throughout a competition and if a surfer is found competing on a board that is not fully regulation they will be disqualified. No questions, no explanations, no excuses. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you have a regulation spec surf board prior to start of competition.
What exactly does this mean? And how can each individual surfer make sure they have the right board for the right competition? Here are a few guidelines.
1. In your registration package, along with your rash guards, a board size checker will be included. Simply REZ the checker on the ground in front of you (make sure you are on land that allows you to create/REZ objects). Then REZ your board, right click and edit your board, use the colored arrows to move your board to the size checker. Take note of which post your board is closest to in size. The smallest post is a Big Dawg Board size, the middle post is a Namiko size, and the tallest post is the original SSI board size. For short board competitions you will want your board in between the Big Dawg and Namiko, for Regular/Long board competitions you will want it Namiko - SSI sized. ((see exact measurements below))
Shortboard: 2.25 meters (Big Dawg size) to 3.38 meters (Namiko Board size)
*** Longboard: 3.38 meters (Namiko size) to 4.41 meters (Full length SSi size) ***
2. To check to make sure you have a board with original Heather scripts and Sebastian animations REZ your board somewhere that allows for object creation (your personal land or any of the public beaches). Right click your board, edit your board, select the button "More", and then look on the general tab (the first tab). The creator of the board (no matter who the board designer is) should be listed as Sebastian Saramago or Heather Goodliffe. If you see another name in the spot for creator please contact an SLSA director to have your board inspected.
Check that the SurfBoard Script is version 5.1, 5.2 or 5.2 dlg!!!
3. Finally, if you ever have any concerns, questions, or doubts that you have selected a legal competition board to surf on at any given competition always contact a SLSA director PRIOR to the scheduled surf competition.
Please surfers, be responsible for your boards and your actions. Use these tools to check your boards fully prior to competition day, ask questions prior to competition day, and show up for your scheduled heat on time and ready to go on competition day. We as directors are here to help you and help competitions run smoothly. Help us in this attempt to streamline and shorten the length of competition days for everyone's enjoyment.
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If you can check your boards before the competition, you potentially save everyone some time, get on your waves faster, and head back to the party in the stands!!!
Good luck to all of you who are competing!!!
