Wave Tour 2024 calendar

21/12/2023

Launched last year, the PWA IWT Unified Wave Tour has just unveiled its 2024 calendar, with a new name for the occasion: the Wave Tour. On the programme, a very dense and comprehensive world circuit which, for the contenders for the world titles, will once again play the versatility card.

The schedule for the Wave Tour 2024 (goodbye to the name PWA IWT Unified Wave Tour) promises an exciting season, skilfully merging the 2 major circuits, the PWA World Tour and the IWT Wave Tour, in the wave discipline. After a year of experimentation in 2023, this calendar is looking impressive, offering competitors a unique opportunity to sail around the world, from Japan to Fiji, via the Canaries and the island of Maui in Hawaii.
For the men, as in 2023, the world title will be awarded after the accumulation of the 4 best results throughout the year, from the 4 and 5-star events. The inevitable final will be held at the Aloha Classic in Maui. For the women, the 3 best performances will be taken into account, with the Aloha Classic also crucial in the race for the title.

In terms of race format, for the 3, 4 and 5-star events, a field of 16 women and 32 men will be favoured, with prize money ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 for the 5-star competitions. A point of tension last year with the race rules of the PWA World Tour, this Wave Tour now favours the dingle format, i.e. a single elimination with a 2nd redemption round only. Finally, to ensure a more professional judging process, Boujmaa Guilloul has been appointed head judge of the main IWT Wave Tour competitions, to which he will bring his experience.
Among the new features, it should be noted that super sessions may be organised to enhance the show aspect and that this Wave Tour should also emphasise the other titles (Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Masters) as well as the rankings by continent... The hostilities will start in Omaezaki in Japan from 19 to 25 February with 5-star events also taking place in Gran Canaria, Fiji, Germany and finally Maui for the final.
Presented by the IWT Wave Tour authorities, we were told that this 2024 calendar had not yet been validated or confirmed by the PWA World Tour and the riders...