About CWSA
About CWSA
The Competitive Wake Surf Association is the international body that runs wakesurfing as a competitive sport, under one set of rules worldwide.
Overview
One standard for wakesurfing worldwide.
CWSA sits at the heart of the global wakesurfing community, driving the sport forward through top-level events and athlete rankings. Its stated aim is to build a culture where riders and fans share the same passion.
What matters in competitive sport is being judged by the same standard wherever you compete. CWSA unifies the rules, the divisions, the judging criteria and the points calculation across the world, and brings them together in one ranking: the World Ranking System (WRS).
Because of that, results from sanctioned events held in Japan count directly toward the world ranking. Competing at home is competing on the world stage.
- Active Athletes
- 400+
- Countries
- 60+
- Sanctioned Events
- 400+
- Global Ranking System
- 1
What CWSA Does
The role of CWSA
CWSA does more than put on events. It runs the standards and the systems that make wakesurfing work as a competitive sport.
Running the World Ranking System
Results from sanctioned events are converted into points on one global standard, then compiled and published as world rankings by division.
CWSA sanctioned events
Events around the world are sanctioned and given a level — Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze — so that every event is run to the same standard.
One rulebook worldwide
The same rules apply at events in every country. The rulebook itself is maintained by CWSA GLOBAL, which always publishes the current version.
Judging standards
Certified judges and clear scoring criteria keep decisions comparable from one event to the next. Judging seminars are run to train them.
Developing athletes
Divisions are set by age and competitive level, giving riders a step-by-step path from their first event through to Pro.
Support for event organizers
Sanctioning applications, event operations and results publishing are standardized, so organizers can put on events of a consistently high standard.
Working with National Organizations
National Organizations run their own local seasons, connecting grassroots events to the world ranking. CWSA JAPAN is that organization for Japan.
World Championship
The season builds toward the World Championship. The 2026 edition will be held on the Edo River in Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan.
Terminology
Terms worth knowing
CWSA competition terminology is used in English worldwide. These are the terms you will see across this site.
- WRS / World Ranking System
- The worldwide ranking system that converts results from CWSA sanctioned events into points.
- Surf / Skim
- Categories defined by board and riding style.
- Pro / Outlaw / Amateur / Masters / Juniors
- Divisions by competitive level and age. See the CWSA rankings page for the official list.
- Event Level
- The grade given to a sanctioned event: Diamond / Platinum / Gold / Silver / Bronze.
- Towboat
- The boat that tows the rider and creates the wake. Each event has a designated official towboat.
- National Organization
- The national body that runs a CWSA season in its own country. CWSA JAPAN is the one for Japan.
Division structures, points allocation, eligibility and the rest of the detailed regulations are maintained by CWSA GLOBAL. Always check the CWSA GLOBAL site for the current version.