Taking a page out of the golf playbook...the only "fair" way. Photo: Trevoseactive.co.uk
The “Fairway Format” concept results from decades of watching heats with dubious results. How many times have you witnessed a heat in which the announcer makes the comment that it could easily “be a final?” Many times I have seen a heat in which scores of even the 4th place competitor could have easily advanced in any other heat. The Fairway Format makes it possible for all four competitors to advance to the next round by borrowing a concept from golf. Golf utilizes the idea that the best and most consistent players will reach the final day, and the point standings at the end of the event determine the winner.
Many have questioned the validity of this format in regards to changing conditions. Surely, we can’t control the variables in our sport: changes due to wind, swell increase/decrease, tides, and time periods (consistency) of waves. However, this dynamic exists in our present structure and is accepted by the competitors. The Fairway Format will advance 50% of the competitors up to the point that it is determined that the conditions have changed enough to utilize a new scale. What if conditions are changing for every heat? Then every heat will advance 50% of the competitors and you are no worse off than the present format; however, I have never seen the conditions change for every heat!
At least with the Fairway Format, every competitor in every heat has an opportunity to advance – whether first or fourth. The Fairway Format will make sure that every competitor has an equal chance of advancing rounds through consistent, radical surfing, not a factor of luck or another competitor “sitting” on you for advancement. With this format, most competitors will wait for the end of the round to see if they advance – even if they are in third or fourth place. As it is now, all third and fourth place competitors pack up their belongings and hit the road. During every heat, an announcement can be made as to the “new” cut line. This will add intrigue and drama up to the last heat of the round.
The Fairway Format will determine the winner of the event by accumulating enough points through consistent surfing over at least 3 rounds, and the winner of the finals does not necessarily determine the winner of the event.
We won’t know if this format works until it is put to the test. The format isn’t set in stone and is open for subtle tweaks to make our sport a more dynamic enterprise while minimizing the “luck” factor. The five-wave rule can be expanded, depending on the surf and conditions. The sixth ”extra” wave could be doubled and replace your score line if it is more than your highest counting score – or just replace your lowest counting wave. Risk and reward!
This format is created to even the playing field and reward the most consistent surfer; it is the “fair way” to advance surfers.
More information regarding the application of The Fairway Format:
