What are the joker buoys in jetsurf?

Over the years, jet surfing has gained a lot of popularity among the masses. Its popularity is directly linked to the thrill it offers, as jet surfing on the waves appeals most to the people. However, it is not all about jet surfing on the waves.

Along with its unmatched popularity, it has also garnered a position within the Moto Surf World Cup. The Moto Surf World Cup is an official championship organized under the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) structures with official rule books approved at the annual UIM General Assembly by the UIM MotoSurf Committee.

The official rule book of Moto Surf World Cup introduces us to the word “buoys” for the first time. In the easiest of terms, a buoy is an anchored float that serves as a navigation mark for the track within jet surf championships and races.

Where are the joker buoys placed?

The joker buoy is the white buoy with black stripes. The same was formerly a plain black colored buoy. It is designated for:

• setting the turning point of the penalty ride (if a buoy is missed), or
• tactical ride “Joker Lap” (at least once during the heats or twice during the final).

The buoy is always arranged in such a way to prevent the crossing of the entrance and exit paths. The ride to the joker buoy with black stripes starts from the designated red or blue buoy alternatively. If there is only one joker buoy at the track, it can be without white marking.

How do the joker buoys differ from regular buoys?

The buoys mark off the track for jet surf championships and races. The path for jet surf is made in such a way that it allows jet surfers to surf from both directions. The change in the direction is depicted using a white buoy with black stripes, which is exclusively known as a “joker buoy”. This is done in two ways:

• The position of the joker buoy is changed.
• Two joker buoys are placed within the same track (this prevents time gaps).

How do the joker buoys depict change in direction?

When riding in the clockwise direction, the rider rides at the white buoy with stripes from the left. The buoy is considered as the blue buoy, and the rider turns around it to the right.

When riding in the counterclockwise direction, the rider rides at the white buoy with black stripes from the right. The buoy is considered as the red buoy, and the rider turns around it to the left.

How do the joker buoys influence race?

In jet surfing, the term 'race' includes all of the following:

• tests,
• qualifying,
• heats,
• final B, and
• two rounds of final A1 and A2.

However, for the women's class, there is no final B.

In the majority of the above, joker buoys play a critical role. The heat consists of five or six laps with one compulsory course to the joker buoy. The finale B consists of five or six laps with two compulsory courses to the joker buoy. Similarly, the finale A1 consists of eight or nine laps with two compulsory courses to the joker buoy.