ICF Sports
Waveski
Waveski
Waveski Surfing is a ICF recognized paddlesports discipline where the rider surfs waves sitting down rather than standing up. Waveskis are essentially surfboards outfitted with foot straps, a seatbelt, and/or thigh straps that allow the rider to be attached in a seated position. The rider uses a double bladed kayak paddle to catch waves and perform maneuvers of varying degrees of difficulty while surfing the breaking wave.
Since the early 1980’s, the United States Waveski Association has served as the official governing body of the sport and has hosted the national titles on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. With the establishment of the Waveski Committee on the American Canoe Association’s National Competition Council, waveski surfing now has the backing of the ACA and a governing body directly linked to the ICF.
Waveski competitions are run similarly to surf competitions. Competitors compete against each other in timed heats in front of a panel of judges who rate rides based on the premise that the most radical maneuvers in the most critical part of the wave score the highest points. Waveski riders of all skill levels and physical abilities are always welcome at competitions where they can meet other waveskiers and improve their surfing performance by having their style and technique critiqued.
This is a paddlesport that makes a day at the beach exciting, and has a strong following among whitewater enthusiasts, the adaptive community, and paddlers who just enjoy surfing. It’s a dynamic sport where the creativity and skill of the rider merge to perform technical maneuvers on what each wave has to offer.
- Waveski Competition Events
- Team Selection Procedures
- Waveski Rulebook
March 26-29, 2026 – Santa Cruz Paddlefest in Santa Cruz, CA
TBA, September, 2026 – US Waveski Titles (Nationals) in Nags Head, NC
October 20-29, 2026 -Waveski World Titles in Huanchaco, Peru
To be considered for selection to, the United States of America National Waveski Team, an athlete must
meet the following criteria:
1. Citizenship Requirements
* The athlete must be a citizen of the United States of America
*Proof of citizenship (US Passport; Birth Certificate; or naturalization certificate) may be required at the
time of application or selection.
2. Participation in the United States Open Waveski Championship (USWC) during the current
qualification cycle.
[The qualification cycle shall be the year of selection for the World Waveski Championships (WWSC)
except for the occasion when the WWSC is scheduled before the USWC of that year. In this case the
qualification cycle may extend to the previous year’s USWC.
• Athletes must complete all required heats and adhere to al competition rules
• To be eligible for selection athletes must finish in the first four places in their age group or in the
first six places in the Open.
3. Participation in Additional Nationally Sanctioned Events
* Athletes must also take part in at least one other recognized national-level waveski surfing event within
the same qualification period.
[Eligible events may include any nationally sanctioned event recognized by the Waveski Competition
Council of the American Canoe Association – (ACA)]
• Participation is defined as completion of all required heats and full compliance with event rules
and regulations conducted within the bounds of acceptable sportsmanship and conduct.
4. General Requirements
* The athlete must be in good standing with the governing bodies of the ACA.
* The athlete must be a competition member of the ACA who has selected Waveski as their competitive
discipline.
* The athlete must adhere to anti-doping regulations as defined by the United States Anti-Doping Agency
(USADA)
*Athlete will be required to attend all United States Waveski Team briefings and training if so mandated
by the team management.
*Athletes will be expected to wear designated team apparel when so required.
*In the understanding that he/she is representing the United States of America, the athlete will at all
times adhere to the tenants, morals and ethics as set out in the constitution of the United States of
America and promote the goodwill of the country.
*The athlete will at all times comply with the rules and judging standards of event organizers
*Athletes will at all times adhere to the acceptable rules of sportsmanship, honesty and fairness.
The ACA Waveski CC has adopted the ICF Waveski Rule Book.
