FSRL Surf Race Rules and Format
Foil Surfing Races
About FSRL Surf Format
Description– A high action foil surfing endurance race in which athletes start on the beach in a “Lemans” style start. Riders must then paddle into waves to cross an upstream boundary. They must then work their way down the beach by riding multiple waves on foil or pumping to a downstream maker point. They must then work their way back up beach to the upstream boundary area to complete one lap. First rider to complete designated number of laps and cross the start/finish line on the beach wins the heat
How it works
Definitions
Upstream– up-wind, up-current or up-swell. In case of mild neutral conditions this will be toward the south.
Downstream– down-wind, down-current, or down-swell. In case of mild neutral conditions this will be toward the north.
Action Box– rectangular area made by: upstream buoy x upstream flag x downstream buoy x downsteam flag
*See Course Outline Below
Staff
- Line judge upstream boundary
- Line judge downstream boundary
- Action area judge
- Start/Finish Line Judge
Safety
Athletes can ride and catch the same wave as other competitors. Physical contact is not permitted between competitors. It is the responsibility of all riders to avoid collisions. (navigation rules: always turn to the right if head on). Leash must be worn at all times while in the water. Helmets are HIGHLY Recommended
Penalties:
DNF (Did Not Finish) if failure to comply with rules, or intentional unsafe act occurs. Pay attention to Flaggers!! They have ultimate say on whether you finished a lap or will receive a DNF.
If Line Judge determines a Boundary was not crossed according to rules, Rider must go back to that point and cross it properly or they will receive DNF. Pay attention to Line Judges at Boundary crossings.
General Race Rules
All non-foiling or surfing movement must be either perpendicular to the beach or Upstream.
No paddling, running, or walking Downstream is permitted.
Athletes must be on foil and connecting waves to move Downstream. Competitors may not paddle, swim, walk, or run Downstream toward the course marks. The only permitted paddling is toward shore and back out to catch waves.
Riders must keep their board and foil with them at all times.
SUP riders must also keep their paddle with them at all times.
Leashes must be worn while in the water. If a leash is removed to move Upstream on foot, it must be reattached before re-entering the water.
Board straps are not allowed in the race.
Before starting the second lap, riders must come to a complete stop and come off foil on the Upstream side of the boundary.
No foil assist, eFoil, or any motorized propulsion devices are permitted during the race, except in the Foil Assist Category.
Helmets are highly encouraged.
Downwind-style boards are permitted for the SUP portion of the race.
Riders must fully clear the boundary lines and receive the Green Flag for the lap to count.
Prone Pro and Prone Open
Start
Le Mans–style start: Boards must be placed on the beach behind the Start Line, with no contact with the board or foil before the start. Leashes must already be attached.
When Signal Sounds, Race has started.
Riders must paddle out perpendicular to the beach making sure they are Upstream of the Action Box.
Entry into the Action Box is only permitted while on foil.
No paddling, floating, or drifting past the Upstream Boundary.
Beach starts are not permitted.
Prone Action Box & Lap Rules
Riders must catch a wave and be on foil before entering the Action Box.
Once inside the Action Box on the Downstream run, the rider must pass the Downstream Boundary and look to the beach for the Green Flag before turning back Upstream to complete the lap.
If a rider falls or comes off foil during the Downstream run, they must catch another wave before continuing Downstream through the Action Box.
If a rider falls or comes off foil during the Upstream run, they may either catch another wave or come to shore perpendicular to the beach and run Upstream.
On the second lap, after receiving the Green Flag at the Downstream Boundary, riders may either run or foil to the Finish Line.
Riders may not float, paddle, or drift back past any course boundary. All Boundary Crossings must be on Foil.
After passing the Upstream Boundary to begin the second lap, riders must come off foil, come to a complete stop, and paddle to catch another wave before continuing.
Finish
The first rider to complete two full laps wins (subject to race conditions).
To finish, the rider must cross the Start/Finish Line on the beach.
Placement will be determined as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. based on finish order.
In the event of a photo finish, placement will be determined by the rider’s head crossing the line.
The race ends once the predetermined number of riders advancing to the next round have finished.
Foil Assist
*High Mounted Propulsions Only are permitted in the Foil Assist Category. The centerline of the propulsion can not be more than 30cm from the bottom of the board.
Start
Riders must be Upstream of the Action Box at the start of the race.
Once all riders are in the water, the Start/Finish Judge will raise a Red Flag to signal 30 seconds to the start.
After 30 seconds, a Green Flag will be raised and an audible signal will sound to start the race.
Riders may be on their board but may not move before the start. No paddling for waves or motoring is permitted until the Signal and Green Flag are given.
Riders may either perform a flat water start or catch a wave to get on foil.
Entry into the Action Box is only permitted while on foil and OFF MOTOR
Foil Assist Action Box & Lap Rules
Once inside the Action Box on the Downstream run, no power may be used.
If a rider falls, comes off foil, or illegally uses power during the Downstream run, the rider must return Upstream outside the Action Box, come to a complete stop, and restart the lap.
Riders must pass the Downstream Boundary OFF POWER and look to the beach for the Green Flag before turning back Upstream.
Riders may then travel Upstream ON or OFF power.
Riders may not float, paddle, or drift back past any course boundary. All Boundary Crossings must be on Foil.
After passing the Upstream Boundary to begin the second lap, riders must come off foil and come to a complete stop before starting the second lap.
Finish
The first rider to complete two full laps wins (subject to race conditions).
The Finish Line is located on the Upstream Boundary Line.
In the event of a photo finish, placement will be determined by the front of the mast crossing the Boundary Line.
Placement will be determined as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. based on finish order.
The race ends once the predetermined number of riders advancing to the next round have finished.
SUP Race
Start
Riders must be Upstream of the Action Box at the start of the race.
Once all riders are in the water, the Start/Finish Judge will raise a Red Flag to signal 30 seconds to the start.
After 30 seconds, a Green Flag will be raised and an audible signal will sound to start the race.
Riders may be on their board but may not move before the start. No paddling for waves is permitted until the Signal and Green Flag are given.
Riders may either perform a flat water start or catch a wave to get on foil.
Entry into the Action Box is only permitted while on foil.
SUP Action Box & Lap Rules
Riders must catch a wave or flat water start and be on foil before entering the Action Box.
Once inside the Action Box on the Downstream run, the rider must pass the Downstream Boundary and look to the beach for the Green Flag before turning back Upstream to complete the lap.
If a rider falls or comes off foil during the Downstream run, they must catch another wave before continuing Downstream through the Action Box.
If a rider falls or comes off foil during the Upstream run, they must catch another wave or flat water start to complete the lap.
On the second lap, after receiving the Green Flag at the Downstream Boundary, riders may either run or foil to the Finish Line.
Riders may not float, paddle, or drift back past any course boundary. All Boundary Crossings Must be on foil.
After passing the Upstream Boundary to begin the second lap, riders must come off foil, come to a complete stop, and paddle to catch another wave or flat water start again before continuing.
Finish
The first rider to complete two full laps wins (subject to race conditions).
The Finish Line is located on the Upstream Boundary Line.
In the event of a photo finish, placement will be determined by the front of the mast crossing the Boundary Line.
Placement will be determined as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. based on finish order.
The race ends once the predetermined number of riders advancing to the next round have finished.
Course Outline
2026 Cocoa Beach Heat Structure
The FSRL race format, written rules, diagrams, course layouts, scoring materials, branding, logos, and related event materials are proprietary materials of Foil Surf Race League. No portion may be copied, reproduced, published, or used for commercial event production without written permission. Nothing herein grants permission to use the FSRL name, marks, logos, or official race materials.