Freestyle Addendum needs to be added to freestyle rules... imo

[Jawbreaker]

When someone does the same trick over and over to achieve a high number of tricks in a routine should not score higher than a more diverse routine with less but harder tricks... It makes for a better, more diverse show...
I don't think you should be scored on the same trick after you've pulled it of 3-5 times during a routine...
There needs to be an addendum added to the rules imo... and a specific # set... 30-180's shouldn't beat out a more diverse routine, with harder tricks, but maybe 8-10 less tricks... imo ....any thoughts? What do you think?

 

[DAG]

Does this include fist pumps?

 

[Kohldanielzimmer]

It's called freestyle for a reason. If people want to do 10 flips in a row in competition so be it. I'm not a flatwater freestyler and I cannot pull off one FW flip let alone 5+ in a row so I cannot accurately judge the difficulty. But with that said, I prefer and think it demonstrates more skill to vary a routine, ride with speed, and be fluid. Judges should consider not rewarding redundant behavior and that lack of reinforcement (high scores) would likely modify rider's routine.

Making a rule to limit the number of the same trick is antithetical to the concept of freestyle.

 

[hink320]

The pros are doing upwards of 40 tricks in two minutes, there's no way for them not to do the same trick multiple times.

 

[Jawbreaker]

I would agree... And I'm not saying that I don't think someone should be told they "can't" do something in a comp, just that they shouldn't be scored on the # of tricks alone... or be scored on a trick after doing that trick after the 5th time... The way the rules are, I could go out and do 30-360's and beat out someone that is throwing rolls, backflips, helicopters, monkey jumps, ect but may only pull off 20 tricks in 2:00.... It's BS...

 

[g-ski]

The pros are doing upwards of 40 tricks in two minutes, there's no way for them not to do the same trick multiple times.

In a typical pro routine I see three tricks: backflips (one handed, one footed, etc.), flat 360s (or 540s, 720s etc.), and barrel rolls (again, 1 handed, no hander,etc.). I agree that in a 2 minute routine they should shoot for 7-10 completely different tricks. I will never be "bored" by a backie. They're awesome! But after 5 amateurs and 3 pros each do 5 to 10 of 'em, well, yeah, naturally it's going to diminish my interest. And if I'm losing interest and I'm a jet ski nut, what do you think the casual observer is thinking? Mix it up and everyone wins.

 

[McDog]

Bring back hood tricks! Lol

 

[zzylstra]

Bring back hood tricks! Lol

I agree I'm building a freestyle monster in the off time, but it's just too much fun spinning around on a hood.

 

[Jr.]

Jimmy, This weekend I had the privlages of being a judge at the Hartwell tour round. Trust me when I tell you there is much more going on behind the scenes as to judging criteria than most know.
There is a reduction in score to repetive tricks. But there can be an increase in amplitude and presentation when the same trick is used in combinations. Espicaly when the combo's consist of 6-8 tricks or more. The scoring will also reflect that. So your recommendation of an admendum ? Is not called for.

On the tour level, there is a much higher caliber of judges than the regional level. This weekend, I served with Scott Watkins and his brother, along with Rob Greenwald. So all four of us has at least 20 years experience each with freestyle. Now it's not always been like this? But as the sport is progressing, so is the promoters responsibility of providing fair and unbiased judges.

Dog, Today Johnny Leftly won amature on a oem Round nose, doing old school tricks!
And the field included a 14 yo young man who threw his first backy in compition. It was a FUN event!


Ski ya, Paul

 

[Jawbreaker]

Good point.... didnt know that...
That's awesome Paul... Was he on Parr's old RN?

 

[Jr.]

Yes, He was on Parr's old boat

The Amature field was stacked with very good riders this weekend. Johnny just put together a silky smooth routine with no errors. He had fun and it showed, with a trick count that was almost double most of the other competitors.

 

[Chris03HD]

Should be a limit to the word, "Amplitude" during judges review too...

 

[Jawbreaker]

I wish I had made it this weekend... maybe next year...

 

[kevbo]

Freestyle competition is subjective. Judging get corrupted by politics and profit motives.

 

[jetskijockey]

OEM manufacturers need to start producing stand up hulls again so we can start watching some racin' again. But without the public support and strong sales that's never going to happen. So we are stuck watching people flip around all the time. Its kind of like baseball... Boring to watch but fun to play.

 

[onlyFX-1]

Bug Philip Clemons to post vids of the pro runs from this weekend and judge for your selfs.

There is only ONE rule in the rule book for freestyle, anyone can look it up, and you'd think the judges would know it but, I feel like they don't.

A trick with higher difficulty but with a bobble will be scored higher than a trick with less difficulty executed perfect....it's the only rule.

Without that rule why would anyone want to progress?

 

[Wakerider26]

I'd be happy to get together with other freestylers and come up with an alternate scoring system, or table. More like a point system. Kind of like "Tony Hawk Pro Skater" for Playstation. For a short example:

Backflip 10 points (1 foot or 1 hand +2) (bobble landing -2)
Barrell Roll 12 points
ScareCrow 20 Points
180 3 points
360 6 points
+2 for linking any of the above in a combo
-2 for any time a trick is repeated

This is a VERY rough example. I'm just saying, appropriate points would be awarded for completed tricks of varying difficulty, AND there would be no disputes, politics would no longer platy a role, and freestylers would have a more clear cut goal for how runs are being planned.

 

[onlyFX-1]

That's exactly how I feel buddy! Should kinda be judged like Olympic gymnastics with a criteria

 

[sjetrider]

sooooo..... where are the vids of these runs? sweenybird, if you were not there I assume you seen the vids?

 

[Jawbreaker]

sooooo..... where are the vids of these runs? sweenybird, if you were not there I assume you seen the vids?

No... My original post was a general one and was not aimed toward any specific event... I was just making a statement and expressing my opinion... I really didn't think there was that much thought put into the scoring till reading Paul's reply... I wish someone would post a vid of this past weekends runs... I'd like to see em...