Freestyle Pro Tour: New rules at the FPT for more innovation and equality
SURF Redaktion
· 29.07.2025
The Freestyle Pro Tour (FPT) has introduced some major rule changes halfway through the 2025 season. From the integration of tow-in as an official discipline to fundamental changes to fleet parity, scoring formats and equipment rules, the changes are designed to bring the way competitions are organised in line with developments in the sport. These adjustments are not just short-term modifications, but form the basis for the future of freestyle windsurfing, according to the FPT. The changes affect almost all areas of competition and have already had an impact at the first events of the season.
Tow-in becomes an official discipline, experiments are encouraged
One of the most important changes for 2025 is the official integration of Tow-In into the FPT World Series. What was previously considered a side event or show format has become an essential part of the tour thanks to its increasing popularity and improved level. Particularly exciting is the new Tow-In Invitational format, which has been introduced for selected standalone events such as boot Düsseldorf. These events are characterised by limited, high-calibre fields of participants, with wildcard places reserved for successful participants from previous FPT stops. boot Düsseldorf has already served as the first experimental field for this format, with the best riders on the tour competing against proven athletes from previous seasons.
The FPT continues to support FoilStyle as an experimental and open format. Although this discipline does not yet have its own ranking system, it is mainly contested in mixed fleets and is seen as an important space for technical development. The same open approach applies to youth and junior events, and the Tour remains committed to providing development space for these junior classes. An example of this is Sardinia, which originally started as a youth-orientated event before the pro men's category was added. This flexible approach allows the Tour to cater to local circumstances and talent pools while supporting the development of the sport in different regions.
Equal rights and flexible structures
A key aspect of the rule changes concerns equal rights for male and female starters through a more flexible approach to fleet structures. The new rules allow mixed competitions if the number of female participants is low. With 1-2 female participants, no official result will be issued, with 3-5 local rankings will be created, and from 6 participants an official women's ranking will be established. Particularly important: The prize money for the top three men and women will be distributed equally, regardless of fleet size. This regulation is intended to incentivise more female participants without restricting the competition opportunities in the event of lower participation.
To create a more structured and professional way into the competitions, the FPT has also updated its registration and entry system. Male riders must prove their skills by submitting clips of three new-school tricks; female riders need one new-school and two old-school manoeuvres. These requirements do not apply to youth, rookie or Proving Grounds Series participants, making it easier for up-and-coming athletes to get started. Pre-registration is now 33% cheaper than late registrations, with both membership and entry fees slightly increased to fund the updated system. Organisers are also now required to use the FPT's digital scoring and ranking infrastructure, providing the basis for a more consistent and optimised competition format across all events.
New material rules, digital tools instead of flags
From 2025, only riders using equipment from official FPT tour partners (or riding on logo-free custom equipment) will be authorised to appear in FPT media. However, there is still room for freedom and inclusivity: Youth and Junior participants, Rookies, FoilStyle riders and Proving Grounds participants can ride with any equipment and will still receive images and clips for personal use from the tour - just no official features. Remarkably, custom equipment is fully allowed and even encouraged to support the creative and technical development of freestyle equipment.
Custom material is allowed and even encouraged to support the creative and technical development of freestyle equipment.
The best trick format will be continued, but with a stronger focus on progress instead of the balance of the two sides. This means that riders no longer have to score equally on starboard tack and port bow. Instead, the minimum number of tricks per side will be set by the head judge at each event. This flexibility allows athletes to play to their strengths and at the same time encourages the development of new, progressive manoeuvres. Appeals against missed scores can now be made with video footage, marking the first steps towards video-based scoring - a system the FPT will continue to experiment with in the future. The Tour is also looking to move away from outdated systems such as physical flags and heat boards in favour of modern digital tools such as screens and displays on the beach and around the jury tower.
Adjustments to the event rating system
The FPT's star rating system remains a central part of the season ranking. Higher rated events award more ranking points, reflecting the size, prestige and frequency of each competition. Small adjustments have been made for 2025 to ensure that less frequent formats such as FoilStyle - which by their nature are less frequent - can receive more points at lower star rated events compared to equivalent fin or tow-in competitions. The aim is to encourage and reward development in each discipline across the calendar, regardless of the frequency of each competition format.
To support the athletes and ensure fairness, organisers are now obliged to pay out the entire prize pool, even if there is no wind. If no competition is possible, the money will be divided equally among all registered participants. If only part of a single elimination is completed, the judges will decide the result. In addition, alternative formats such as Tow-in or FoilStyle can be used as a backup in light wind conditions. The event in Sardinia demonstrated this new approach perfectly: although originally planned as a pure freestyle event, a foil style super session and a complete tow-in elimination took place on the first three days of the event due to a lack of suitable conditions, in addition to the freestyle single elimination.
Sprint events for 2026
One of the most exciting developments is the planned introduction of sprint events in 2026 - a fresh but still developing category that will combine various freestyle disciplines under one flexible format. These short events will run from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning, with the specific discipline (freestyle, tow-in or foil style) being announced a few days before the event based on the forecast. Prize money and points will be determined in advance regardless of the discipline being contested. The format is designed to bring fleets together rather than separate them, and there is even the option to combine Freestyle and FoilStyle by allowing the use of foils within the Freestyle fleet depending on conditions and rider interest.
"These changes represent more than just adjustments - they represent a roadmap for a growing professional tour," said the FPT. "By focusing on accessibility, inclusivity and technological innovation, the Freestyle Pro Tour is positioning itself not only for a stronger 2025 season, but for years of creative and competitive growth," the organisers hope.
- More under freestyleprotour.com
