The 2023 US Kneeboard Titles and Festival returns to Huntington Beach, CA on Friday February 17th, 2023 and celebrates 20 years of KSUSA-sponsored competitions dating back to our first titles held in November 2003 at Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz, CA. That three-day contest is fondly remembered for its great vibe on the beach, fierce competition in the water, and lively post-surf gatherings – all of which have been key ingredients of every KSUSA event held since.
Over 20 years, KSUSA has hosted 14 US Titles and one world title event at four different venues (Pleasure Point, Steamer Lane, Oceanside and Huntington Beach). KSUSA has crowned seven Open Division Champions and five Women’s Division Champions.
One of the longest-running kneeboard surfing competitions, it regularly attracts top international competitors, including several current and former world champions.
The legendary Kenny Stapleton delivered a stirring speech at the conclusion of the first awards ceremony in 2003. He congratulated his American friends and then told them they needed to get better. Success didn’t come easily. However, in the 20 years since Kenny’s challenge, US competitors have earned eleven age division World Titles in international competition and Team USA had its best showing ever in 2022 in Portugal. US kneeboarders are still striving for their first Open Division World Title, but with top young competitors such as Sam Coyne (runner up in 2020 and 2022) and Kevin Skarvna (3rd place 2022) they are closing in and poised to make history.
The 2023 and 2024 US Kneeboard Titles will be used as a qualifying event for the 2024 or 2025 Kneeboard Surfing World Titles in South Africa. Results of the The 2023 and 2024 US Kneeboard Titles will be used to rank US Team Members competing in the World Titles. If you’re planning to compete in the World Titles, we strongly encourage participation in the US Titles.
KSUSA will partner once again with WSA to bring the contest back to Huntington Beach. WSA’s considerable experience organizing and running surf contests will help to ensure this event will be a success.
Organizing Committee Contacts
A dedicated group of Kneeboard Surfing USA volunteers and supporters are working hard behind the scenes to make this event a success. If you have any questions about the event, the entry process, or you would like to volunteer or sponsor the event, please contact the contest committee at contests@ksusa.org.
2023 SPONSORS – The generosity of the following sponsors make this event possible. Support those that support our sport. Please check back frequently as we add new sponsors and contest information.
Premier Sponsors
- Rick Blake Art
- Block Surf – Larry Block
- BruSurf – Sean Noone
- Casa Sirena Surf Lodge – Greg Chrisman
- DMC Fins – Don McCredie
- Freeline Design – John Mel
- Kneelo Gear – Dean Lenarth
- Parkes Australia – David Parkes
- TK’s Frog House
- Trimco Hardware
Event Sponsors
- Phil Curtiss
- Disorderly Images – Carl Ellery
- GryptaLite High Performance Traction – Casey Patelski
- Hanalei Fins – Robin Mair
- Hawaiian Line International Apparel – Darren Akana
- Ho Stevie!
- Kneelo Nation – Tom Fish
- Jeff Jensen
- Jeffrey Ommen Photography – Jeffrey Ommen
- Plastic Fantastic Surfboards
- RinseKit
- Chuck Razor Smith
- StayCovered
- Stonefish Skegs – Randy Stockstill
- Surf Durt
- Tidelines Tide Calendars
- Victory Koredry
- Visit Huntington Beach
CONTEST SITE
The venue for the contest will be the Huntington Beach Pier, South Side.
THE COMPETITION
2022 US Kneeboard Titles Divisions:
- Open – All contestants
- AAA – *
- AA – *
- Junior – under 21**
- Pro Junior – 21-29**
- Women’s Division
* Competitors will be placed into the AA and AAA divisions as they drop out of the Open based on results in the early heats.
** Age determined as of January 1, 2022
*** A minimum of two entries is required to run each division.
HEATS
Heats to be four to six man and of 15-20 minutes duration depending upon conditions and decided by contest director and head judge. All heat draws and results will be posted on the KSUSA website.
ELECTRONIC ENTRY FORM
On-Line Registration: Click here for Online Registration
On-line registration opens November 18, 2023. There is a small convenience fee, charged by the registration service, for online entries.
MANUAL MAIL-IN ENTRY FORM
The deadline for Mail-in entries of February 1, 2023 has passed. Please use the online registration process. Click here for Manual Entry Form.
ENTRY FEES
OPEN: $95.00
PRO JUNIOR: (Included with Open Entry)
JUNIOR: no cost due to a generous donation
Both JUNIOR and OPEN: $30.00
WOMEN: $30.00
Both WOMEN and OPEN: $30.00
JUDGES PANEL
All judges will be selected as accredited by WSA.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Surfers must perform to the WSL judging key elements to maximize their scoring potential. Judges analyze the following major elements when scoring waves.
- Commitment and degree of difficulty
- Innovative and progressive maneuvers
- Combination of major maneuvers
- Variety of maneuvers
- Speed, power and flow
NOTE: It’s important to note that the emphasis of certain elements is contingent upon the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes of conditions during the day.
NOTE: The following scale may be used to describe a Ride that is scored:
0–1.9 = Poor; 2.0–3.9 = Fair; 4.0–5.9 = Average; 6.0–7.9 = Good; 8.0–10.0 = Excellent
WSA RULE BOOK
WSA Rules will be used for the contest. Click here to view the 2022/2023 WSA Rule Book
CLIMATE IN FEBRUARY
Air Temperature: Average 63° F High/50° F Low
Water temp: 58° F
Clothes: Low 46° F/High 63° F and Partly Cloudy – be prepared for chilly mornings and warm days
Wetsuits: 3/2 or 4/3 fullsuit
Surf: February is one of the most consistent months for surf at Huntington Beach Pier. Conditions can vary depending on the weather but we’ve had great luck with contests here in the past with both weather and surf.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
There are numerous options for accommodation close to the contest area.
There are many lower cost accommodations within a short drive of the contest venue.
Camping: Overnight RV camping is allowed in the Huntington Beach parking area near the contest. Check out Sunset Vista Campground for availability.
AUCTION AND RAFFLE MANIA
Our generous sponsors have donated boards and gear for the Auction and Raffle Mania fundraiser.
EVENT SCHEDULE
It’s within walking distance from the pier.
- Welcome and Check-in
- Judge’s Overview of the Event
- 1st Round Heat Assignments Posted
- Contest Gear and Raffle Ticket Sales
Friday, February 17th, 7:00 AM – Heats Commence
Friday, February 17th, 5:30-8:00 PM
Evening Festivities will be held at Slater’s 50/50 at
17071 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA 92647 (click here for map)
It’s approximately five miles from the contest site.
- Friday Evening Awards Ceremony
- Auction and Raffle Mania!
- Surf Videos and Slide Shows
HEAT ASSIGNMENTS
Opening round heat assignments are posted below. Heat assignments subject to change. Please recheck heat assignments when you arrive at the contest site.
