A new Judging Seminar, piloted across three Port Kembla Boardriders clubs, is helping lift the standard of surf judging in NSW — with plans to expand statewide in the next Boardriders Club (BRC) season.
The initiative, led by Surfing NSW, aims to improve judging quality, fairness, and consistency across grassroots competitions, strengthening the foundation of local Boardriders communities. The sessions also create opportunities for clubs to come together, run mock heats, and receive feedback under the guidance of an Elite Judge.
“We’ve now had the trauma course, drone course, and now the judging course,” said Jeremy Barnett, Regional Director of Illawarra. “There’s always been conjecture around judging at BRCs. With this course rolling out, we’ll have more Level One judges, better understanding of judging criteria, and stronger opportunities for surfers and clubs.”
The Judging Seminar supports members interested in learning the fundamentals of surf judging and those looking to refine their skills. By building knowledge and confidence at the club level, the program is helping to grow the depth and consistency of surf judging across NSW — ensuring fairer, higher-quality competition experiences for all surfers.