In a standard World Surf League heat, a surfer’s two highest-scoring waves count toward the final total.
Judges score individual rides on a scale from 0 to 10, and the surfer’s heat score is normally calculated from the best two waves. This format rewards both wave quality and the ability to find opportunities during a limited time in the water.
A surfer may ride more than two waves during a heat, but lower scores do not remain in the final total. If conditions are difficult, wave priority and tactical positioning become especially important because competitors must decide when to paddle for a wave and when to wait.
Some events or special formats can use different rules, including altered scoring structures in finals or team competitions. The two-wave total is the standard individual shortboard format most associated with World Surf League competition.