Surf. Submit. Compete.
Ride The Future 2026 is a fun, global online speciality event for wave pool surfers. Show us your best air, turn or barrel from 2026, surfed at any wavepool in the world. Whether you are an experienced competitor or a recreational surfer who scored the wave of your life at your local pool, this is your chance to put your surfing on the global stage.
Three categories, four divisions, men and women at every level. Compete for $3,000 cash plus over $17,000 in WPST memberships and 2027 event entry packs.
Divisions, click on your division for rules.
Our Favourites.
Hand-picked rides that stopped us in our tracks...
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Leaderboard
Winners Announced on 15 December 2026
Event Videos
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Any Wavepool
Worldwide
Ride The Future is open to any wavepool worldwide. Surf at the wavepool of your choice, as long as the wave was surfed in 2026.
Book and pay for your session directly with the wavepool, smash some big turns, get a sick air or get drained in a deep barrel. Film your action yourself or download your clip from the official video provider (Surfeye or Flowstate) then upload it to your WPST athlete profile in landscape format.
The Judging System
Judging Panel
An experienced international judging panel of five judges will be selected at every event. When judging, each wave will be reviewed independently by the five judges — each judge scoring rides on a scale of 0–10 points per ride. No head judge will be used.
Counting Wave Scores
Each entry to any division requires the athlete's single best wave.
Wave Scores
Uploaded video submissions — 'waves' — are judged on a judging scale of Poor, Fair, Average, Good and Excellent, allowing judges, athletes and fans alike to understand performance levels from first entry. Final results will be published at the end of the event on the leaderboard section.
Wave Score Average
All five judges score each wave individually. The highest and lowest scores are then removed, with the remaining three judges' scores averaged to calculate the final wave score — ensuring fair, balanced results.
Event Rules
Click on the rules below for full breakdown
01Ride The Future Rules
Ride The Future Rules
• Waves must have been surfed during 2026.
• Footage must be original, unedited and available for verification.
• Videos must be in landscape format, with a maximum file size of 2GB.
• Waves previously entered in another competition are not eligible.
• Surfers can upload up to three submissions, with additional submission packs available.
02Special Catgeories
Best Air, Best Barrel, Best Turn are judged on a single wave on any wave setting or direction — enter and purchase separately.
Special Catgeories
Best Air, Best Barrel, Best Turn are judged on a single wave on any wave setting or direction — enter and purchase separately.
Special categories (Best Air, Best Barrel, Best Turn) are open to all registered competitors and are purchased as separate entries. Unlike the main divisions, special categories require only one submitted wave in either direction.
Judging criteria for special categories focus on the specific manoeuvre, with commitment - creativity - control.