FOOTAPALOOZA OFFICIAL RULES

1. Barefooters compete head to head on opposite sides of the wake over a figure eight course.
2. The competition is double elimination. When a competitor has two losses, he or she is eliminated.
3. There are three divisions of skiers-juniors (16 and under), open (16 and up and have not won 1st place in any other open figure 8 in the past 5 years), and Pro (16 and up). Footapalooza reserves the right to add or eliminate a division based on participation at any time if they deem necessary.
4. Skiers may compete in as many divisions as they qualify for. Separate entry fees are required.
5. Location of tournament is subject to change.
6. The tournament is a 1-2 day event and there is no make-up date for bad weather. Historically, this tournament has been completed in one day 80% of the time.
7. Should the tournament be delayed long enough that the Tournament Director and Chief Judge determine there is not enough time to complete a double elimination tournament before dark on Sunday, the format will be changed to single elimination.
8. There is no refund for weather cancellation.

BOAT/COURSE

• 2-3 tow boats will be used to pull the tournament.
• The course is approximately a one mile figure 8
• Only tournament sponsored ropes are allowed.
• The end of the step off area will be marked by one bouy
• While pulling skiers, boats won’t deviate from course to avoid rough water.
• Should a run stop because of a boat malfunction, or because a driver stops or turns to avoid an obstacle/downed skier, an automatic re-run will be granted.

COMPETITION RULES

• Brackets to be determined by tournament organizers on the day of event.
• Choice of sides will be determined by “flip of the coin” prior to going on to the dock
• If boat speed cannot be agreed on by skiers, it will be 40 mph.
• All skiers must be on deck and ready to go when called. Typically, ten minutes before their respective run.
  -Starting area is the dock.
• Each skier can use whatever barefoot start method they prefer (Deep up, kick off a ski, knee board start, etc.)
• No backward barefooting or tumble turns will be allowed under any circumstances.
• Each skier must be on their respective side of the wake and out of their ski/skis or on their feet (deepwater) before the designated step-off buoy for their to be a legal run started..
• A skier may ride their butt after a step-off, as long as they are up and riding on their feet through the final red step-off buoy. Butt riding through and past the red step-off buoy is considered a fall.
• Once either skier falls past the step-off buoy the run is stopped. The skier who falls first gets the loss.
• If one skier falls in the step-off area, and the second barefoots legally past the red step-off buoy, the second skier advances.
• A skier gets three chances to get up on their skis. After that they are given a loss. Two skis are recommended for anyone who has trouble skiing on one
• While barefoot, the skiers may not cross the center of the wake (bubbles) with either foot. On turns, one foot may enter the bubbles, but not cross the center. Once the boat is straight, both skiers must immediately get both feet off of the wake and return to the curl. As each boat has a different wake characteristic, the boat judge will determine if the skier is off the wake or not.
• If a skier’s foot crosses the center of the bubbles at any time, the boat will be stopped and it is considered a fall for the skier.
• While barefooting after the step-off area, butt-riding is illegal. Butt-riding is defined as more than one incidental butt contact with the water per figure eight.
• Skiers must hold on to the handle with one or both hands at all times.
• Replays will not be accepted to overturn a ruling.

JUDGES

• There is one boat judge per boat.

• There is a Chief Judge. The Chief Judge oversees all the judges, their rotating schedules and makes all final decisions on appeals and disputes.

RE-RUNS

• If both skiers fall at exactly the same time, they will be granted a re-run.
• If both skiers fall attempting step-offs in step-off area, they’ll be granted re-run. (If neither skier can make a step-off in three chances, a coin-flip will be determined to see who receives a win and who receives a loss.)
• If a skier falls upon take-off or any time before the official step-off area, a re-run will be granted. (After three consecutive falls, a skier will be given a loss)
• If there is a tournament sponsored equipment failure (i..e.: rope breaks or boat malfunction) both skiers will be granted a re-run.
• When re-run is granted, skiers must remain on their original sides for the re-run.
• Only the Chief Judge can approve a re-run.

DISQUALIFICATION/APPEALS/SPECIAL RULES

• -Gloves that utilize palm straps (clincher-style) are not allowed. Anyone caught violating this rule is subject to disqualification.
• Under no circumstance may a competitor wrap his or her arm through the handle either before or during the run. This may result in disqualification.
• Skiers are allowed to use standard width Duct tape. 3 layers/strips maximum on each foot and not to go over the toes. Tape can run through the toes or to the base of the toes.
• Anyone verbally or physically abusing a referee or tournament official will be subject to immediate disqualification. (Unless it is Paul Miller-please verbally abuse him often)
• Any complaints or appeals must be taken up with the chief judge immediately following the run in question.
• The chief judge’s decision in all matters is FINAL.
• All contestants must have valid insurance and must accurately and truthfully fill out an entry form for each division they compete in as well as sign a waiver before competing.
• Verbal abuse of Dave Mueller and Paul Miller is allowed and encouraged.
• Rules are subject to change at any time
• Only the Chief Judge can approve a re-run.