Seattle, Washington (March 6, 2012) INT is a progressive organization, working to push the sport of wakeboarding with fair, accurate, and consistent scoring. Since its alliance with WWA in 2010, INT has been working to create a smooth progression from novice wakeboarding to pro level competition. Programs like the Golden Ticket are helping achieve that goal for many local riders interested in competing on the pro tour. In 2012 more changes have been made to the program to realize that aim.
“We’re not new to the game; INT has been developing wakeboard competition formats for over 19 years. It is a work in progress that will continue to change and improve as the sport progresses” says INT Founder Rick Stocks. “The Water Sports Industry Association recognizes the INT League as its grassroots development program because the INT format is turnkey for riders and event organizers who want to be on the path to national consistency.”
It’s different, but it’s fair!
One of INT’s unique characteristics is that each rider is judged using the same scoring format at every INT League event across the country. The model prevents favoritism or biased judging. This procedure allows INT to host a US Championships at the culmination of the season, where riders clearly understand the judging expectations.
The INT judging and scoring format is designed to encourage a rider to develop his/her skills, and become a well-rounded rider. The rules and restrictions within the divisions are meant to guide a rider as he improves. The INT Rulebook serves as a guide for riders to take their skills to the next level.
A rider may enter a division and compete against people of his or her same ability level. As a rider learns new tricks and develops style, he will “Bump” up through the divisions. “Bumping” is an honorable accomplished that is highly celebrated at INT events.
Some of the big changes for 2012 involve giving riders more freedom to try new tricks and express themselves throughout the run. The chart below clearly explains the changes to the INT format.
Concept Changes over the Last Few Years:
- This season, INT has redefined the Open division to allow riders to graduate from the restraints of trick points, and fully express their riding ability without any restrictions. Open will be judged using only the CAT system, helping the highest level riders prepare to compete at the pro level.
- The call judge will have more style points available to assign to upper division riders.
- Advanced and Expert riders will have more freedom in their run to perform spins and inverts.
- For the last two years, INT has awarded Golden Tickets to deserving Outlaw riders who have gone on to compete in the Mastercraft Pro Wakeboard Tour with a free WWA Pro Membership, and comped entry fee. Open will be the new division for riders to earn Golden Tickets.
- In 2011 the helmet requirement was retracted.
- In 2011, the style portion of the score was increase by 25%.
- Prior to 2011, in a trick run, the first 10 or 12 tricks performed (depending on the division) were scored; this rule was changed so that the best 10 or 12 tricks are scored.
- In 2010 the INT boat weighting policy was more clearly defined, allowing state coordinators to weight the boat properly and create a great wake so long as the additional weight, people, and gear does not exceed the NMMA approved plaque.
- In 2010, the CAT system was introduced to accurately and consistently judge style.
- In 2009, a boat crew policy was more clearly defined to insure a fair and accurate score; which includes the driver, call judge, recorder, CAT/style Judge (up to 3), limiting the amount of people to 6 (exception: photographer.) No friends or family are allowed in the boat, parents are allowed in the boat for Mini Outlaw, but only for their child’s run.
Division Rule Comparison
| Division | 2011 | 2012 Changes |
| Mini Outlaw | 1 wake tricks
H/S 2 Wake Jump Point Range 20-300 6 tricks per pass 7th Wildcard trick- subjectively scored up to 200pts. Age: 8 & Under |
Must complete an attack sheet prior to the run.
Identify 10 tricks they may perform during the run. The best 6 tricks per pass will be scored. A 7th Wild Card Trick must be from the Novice Trick List. Age 8 and Under 1-20 for each CAT component |
| Jr. Entro | 1 wake tricks
H/S 2 Wake Jump Point Range 50-300 6 tricks per pass 7th Wildcard trick- subjectively scored up to 200pts. Age 9-13 |
Age 13 and Under
1-20 for each CAT component |
| Entro- Intermediate – No Changes. See the 2011 Rulebook for more information. | ||
| Advanced | 3 Inverts total
4 Variations of 360’s No 540’s Point Range 350-1250 No repeats |
Unlimited Spins and Inverts
Point Range 350-1250 No repeats |
| Expert | 5 Inverts total
4 variations of 360’s, 540’s, and Raley based tricks Point range 350-1350 No repeats |
Unlimited spins and inverts
Point range 350-1350 No repeats |
| Outlaw | Unlimited Spins and Inverts
Subject to 4 Variations Rule Point Range 400 and up No repeats |
Same rules as 2011
Riders who score 14,000 trick points in a run bump to Open. 11,000 for women *Does NOT include CAT/Style Points. |
| Open | Outlaw Rules Applied | Unlimited Tricks
No variation rule Tricks can be repeated. Judged only with CAT system, no trick points. Golden Ticket Division. Riders must qualify for the class in Outlaw. *State coordinators may grant pro level riders an exception. |
It’s a lot of numbers, but it’s easy to learn!
The call judge has the ability to add or subtract style points to each trick based on its exemplary or poor performance. Additional style points are now available in Advanced –Outlaw divisions.
| Division | 2011 Trick Style Points | 2012 Trick Style Points | CAT Style Points |
| Mini Outlaw | +/- 25 | +/- 25 | 150 |
| Entro | +/- 25 | +/- 25 | 250 |
| Novice | +/- 25 | +/- 25 | 500 |
| Intermediate | +/- 50 | +/- 50 | 1000 |
| Advanced | +/- 50 | +/- 100 | 1500 |
| Expert | +/- 50 | +/- 100 | 2000 |
| Outlaw | +/- 50 | +/- 100 | 3000 |
Style = CAT
The CAT system is the INT League’s method for judging style. After months of questioning pro level wakeboard judges, and determining their thought process on judging wakeboarding, the INT League wakeboard committee formulated a set of objective questions to evaluate the style of the entire run based on the composition, amplitude/intensity, and technical components of the entire run. The CAT system was introduced in 2010, this season the questions have been modified to make the procedure more efficient for the style judge(s) and provide clear expectations to the riders. The rider receives a style score 1-60, and that score is put into a formula and multiplied up to create a CAT style score.
Composition: Reflects the overall composition of the run, the appropriate mix of tricks for the division allowing for a mix of heel side and toe side tricks in every category allowed for that division without scooching and minimal tricks with low difficulty for the division. Flow, when the rider can link his/her tricks together to make them look like they connect smoothly from one to another.
- Did the rider have a balanced run of HS and TS Tricks? 0-5
- Did the rider perform a variety of disciplines and tricks relative to the division? 0-15
Example Advanced-Open: Raley, Spin, Invert, Mobe
Example Novice-Intermediate: Invert, Spin, Half Cab, Switch, Difficult grabs, Backside
Amplitude/Intensity: Reflects the ability to go big, not only the height of the tricks, but the overall intensity, level of aggression, and the degree of difficulty of the tricks.
- Was the first trick an intense, difficult trick relative to the division? 0-4
- Overall Amplitude HS 0-8
- Overall Amplitude TS 0-8
Technical: Reflects the overall execution of the tricks with minimal amount of falls and butt checks. Were the tricks grabbed, poked out and made to look stylish? Riders who “get it done “ugly” will receive a lower score.
- Were the tricks done legit, with full rotation, solid grabs, and with no sketchy landings? 0-6
- Did the rider perform high risk/difficult tricks relative to the division? 0-6
- Did the rider show style by poking, tweaking or twisting? 0-8
For complete information on the INT wakeboard program, please reference the INT Insider and Rulebook, located on our website www.intleague.com. The 2012 INT Insider will be published online and arrive at local dealers in May. Take your riding ability to the next level and have some fun this summer at an INT Event near you.
About the INT League
The INT League is a marketing and promotional company that hosts amateur waterski, wakeboard, kneeboard, wake skate and wake surf competitions nationwide. INT aspires to grow participation and consistency in towed water sports by actively promoting, organizing, and supporting, fun competitive events by welcoming all ages and ability levels. For more information please see the INT website at www.intleague.com.
INT League
Press Contact: Jacqueline Stocks
P.O. Box 359
Black Diamond, WA 98010
jac@intleague.com
360-886-7822
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