Judging Programs

If you are passionate about surfing and want to make a difference in the sport you love, judging could be a great opportunity for you to get involved!

Level 1 – Introduction to Judging Course

If you are passionate about surfing and want to make a difference in the sport you love, judging is a great opportunity to get involved.

On completion of this course you will achieve a Foundation Judge accreditation. This course will develop the technical knowledge required to judge entry level competitions such as boardrider club rounds and events.

At the completion of this course, you will have a sound understanding of the role of a judge and can become an ambassador for competitive surfing.

Level 2 – Professional Judging Course

A competition is only as good as the people who are charged with the responsibility of determining the outcome.

On completion of this course you will achieve a Progression Judge accreditation. Successful course participants will demonstrate a high level of competency and judging experience across multiple disciplines of surfing including shortboard, longboard and stand-up paddle.

Level 1 – Introduction to Judging Course

About this Course
The Surfing Australia Level 1 Introduction to Judging Course offers a sound knowledge base of understanding of the role of a surfing judge, what the judges look for when scoring surfing performances, the basic competition rules, and a comprehensive breakdown of all criteria in Shortboard, Longboard and SUP surfing disciplines.

If you have a passion for both surfing and personal development, completing this course is the initial pathway to accomplish your goals and positively contribute to your club and regional surfing competitions.
On completion of this course along with the necessary course requisites/credentials you will achieve a Surfing Australia L1 Foundation Judge accreditation.

If you plan to judge at a state or higher level, you will need to complete the Surfing Australia Level 2 Professional Judging Course and achieve hours of experience (20 hours) for a Level 2 Progression Judge accreditation and extra 80 hours for a Level 3 Elite Judge accreditation which is recognised by the ISA (International Surfing Association).

Course Structure
The Level 1 Introduction to Judging Course consists of online learning modules and interactive video judging exercises and knowledge checks.

Course Requisites
You will be required to complete:

  • The online theory modules and course.
  • Complete and upload two supplementary credentials. (See below)


Accreditations Requirements
You are about to complete your Level 1 Introduction to Judging course for club’s and achieve a L1 Foundation Surf Judging accreditation, this accreditation has no expiry period or renewal fee. You can continue your surf education journey at any time.

To achieve the accreditation as a L1 Foundation Judge, you will need to upload the following documents/credentials to your personal Surfing Australia’s Learning centre/ membership portal:

  • Surfing Australia L1 Introduction to Judging course certificate. The LMS will auto upload your certificate on completion of course to “Your Learning Centre” on your membership portal.
  • Current Working with Children Check (Volunteer)
  • Current state association membership


How To Enrol

  • Login or create an account in Surfing Australia’s membership portal.
  • Click on Events & Courses
  • Click on Training & Courses
  • Click on L1 – Introduction to Judging course.

Level 2 – Professional Judging Course

About this Course
The Level 2 Professional Judging Course is the next level of judging achievement and is a professional judging accreditation.

Completing the highest-level Judging course gives the participant access to 2 levels of judging accreditation based around logged hours of experience under the mentorship of qualified State and National Head Judges.

This course focuses on increasing the professional knowledge of the course participants to be able to work in a State and National level competition environment with a complete knowledge of all rules and regulations. Inter-active modules enhance the course participants learning outcomes and will cover all aspects of professional judging and Head judging.

Course Structure
The L2 Professional Judging Course consists of online learning modules with knowledge checks and interactive exercises.

Further to the completion of this course the course participant is required to complete hours of practical judging at State, National or International events.

Course Requisities
Course participants can hold a current Foundation Judge accreditation, but this is not mandatory. Hours of experience can be logged prior to course completion.

You will be required to complete:

  • The online theory modules and course.
  • Complete and upload three supplementary credentials. (See below)

Accreditation Requirements
To achieve full active accreditation as a Progression or Elite Judge, you will need to upload the following documents/credentials in your personal Surfing Australia’s Learning centre/ membership portal:

  • Surfing Australia L2 Professional Judging course certificate.The LMS will auto upload your certificate on completion of course to “Your Learning Centre” on your membership portal.
  • Provide 20 hours of logged judging experience at State, National or International events for Progression judge accreditation and a further 80 hours for an Elite judge accreditation.
  • Current Working with Children Check
  • Current state association membership

How to Enrol

  • Login or create a personal account in Surfing Australia’s membership portal.
  • Click on Events & Courses
  • Click on Training & Courses
  • Click on The Level 2 Professional Judging Course