SURFING
BETTING STRATEGY
Justin Guadagnin
SURF BETTING OPPORTUNITIES
The number of opportunities to bet on surfing varies depending on where you live and reflects that a winner is decided by a panel of judges unlike e.g. football/soccer, where goals are an obvious way of determining if a team has won or not.
That being said, more and more betting sites such as Royal Panda, Melbet, and Betway are now offering odds on WSL (World Surf League) events, and with the ever-growing popularity of surfing as a whole, the interest in competitive surfing is only going to grow.
SURF BETTING STRATEGY
When betting on surfing, it can be easy to consistently bet on favorites, and even though this can be a profitable strategy in the long term, it will require a sizeable bankroll to capitalize on low odds. So, what can you the reader and surf bettor with a more modest bankroll do to get a competitive edge?
For starters, you have come to the right place because here at xtremebets.com we are dedicated to bringing you all the information you will need to get started with betting on the WSL (World Surf League) and help you develop a winning strategy for betting on surfing.
Surfing isn’t like most other sports to bet on. In most cases, a game is played between two players or teams, and the player/team with the most goals, points, etc. wins. Whereas, each stop on the WSL World Championship Tour features multiple participants and while the goal of winning the event is constant, the circumstances surrounding each event are completely different, and the emphasis on a certain aspect of a surfer’s ability changes. You have everything from big burley waves of consequence like Pipeline and Teahupo’o where experience and first-hand wave knowledge is key to waves like Lowers where aerial abilities play a huge factor.
To help you with these ever-changing conditions we have created a list of tips on how to approach upcoming surf events. Because even though the conditions change, the approach to finding that handful of surfers with the best chance of winning stays the same.
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR BETTING ON SURFING
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Know the wave:
You don’t have to become an oceanographer but learn the basics about the different waves. Look at if the wave is a left or a right, what type of break is it, etc.
With most events on the 2023 WSL Championship Tour being the same and roughly at the same times as in previous years, learning about the wave and looking up results from previous years is an excellent way to start your research before each event. This will give you an idea of how your potential picks have performed there and on similar waves in the past.
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Know the surf forecast:
Once you have learned the mechanics of the wave and gotten an idea of who usually performs well there. The next step in honing in on your picks is to look at the surf and weather forecast for the designated waiting period. Staying on top of the predicted surf and weather forecast will give you an idea of swell size, on/offshore winds, etc..
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Know the stats:
Just like in all sports there is the occasional upset, but for the most part, surfing is a predictive sport. So, digging into the numbers is what is going to set you apart from the casual bettor who is not doing enough homework.
Staying on top of the WSL (World Surf League) rankings, for example, is a great way to see who is on an upward trend. Keep an eye on surfers who have been surfing beyond their usual standard and finish on waves where they normally have a hard time.
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Line shopping:
Just like shopping around for the best deal available is a good idea before any purchase. The same is true with betting and even though lines are more consistent than ever from sportsbook to sportsbook, shopping the lines to find the best odds is still an essential part of any sports betting strategy. Any bettor who limit themselves to just one sportsbook, and doesn’t take the time to line shop, often cheats themselves out of potential profits in both the short and the long term.
To successfully line shop, you simply pick a line and compare it across two or more sportsbooks to see which offers the best odds. Obviously the more sportsbooks you have access to the better variety of odds you will have to choose from, so having access to multiple sportsbooks is a key part of successful line shopping.
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What do the experts say:
Always check out our WSL (World Surf League) picks and predictions before each event.
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Practice Responsible Betting:
Betting on surfing events can add an extra layer of excitement and engagement while watching competitions. Betting responsibly is crucial to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience.
Keep the following points in mind:
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Set a budget for your surfing betting activities and stick to it.
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Avoid chasing losses by betting more than you can afford to lose.
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Remember that betting should be fun, and if it becomes problematic, seek help from appropriate resources.
VALUABLE SOURCES:
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worldsurfleague.com
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surf-forecast.com
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surfline.com
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magicseeweed.com
BETTING OUTRIGHT WINNERS
In the end, betting on surfing is a numbers game and there are a few different ways you can go about covering your bases. You can take the easy route and stick to betting favorites hoping one of them can pull through and give you a small return. It is never a bad idea to bet on the top surfers in the world. However, as we mentioned before this strategy will require a sizeable bankroll and chances are that you will go broke if you go an extended period of time without hitting a winner.
Instead of betting e.g. €100 on one of the favorites, we suggest you spread your wealth between a handful of surfers that you have identified as potential value bets and split it up between one favorite, one or two mid-range guys, and one or two longshots depending on your bankroll. So, how much should you put on each surfer? Well, we recommend following these guidelines: Favorite 40-60% of the total bet, Mid-range 20-30%, and longshots 10-20%. That way you have the board covered.
WHERE TO BET
The 2024 WSL Championship Tour gets underway on January 29 in Oahu, Hawaii, and the odds on who will be the 2024 WSL World Champions are already available and will be adjusted after each stop throughout the season. Odds on each event of the WSL Championship Tour usually get released a week before the event. So, visit us from time to time and follow us on social media for the latest odds, tips, and predictions.
For betting on the WSL (World Surf League) we recommend the following betting sites:
