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What is Priority in Surfing?

The right-of-way system in competition: the surfer with priority has first claim to any wave, and priority passes to the opponent once used or after paddling for a missed wave. Managing priority — when to use it, when to hold it — is core heat strategy.

Example: Holding priority in the dying minutes, she blocked her rival from the best wave of the set.

Related terms

HeatHeat totalInterferenceCombination situation (combo)Wave scorePerfect 10Barrel (tube)Aerial (air)
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