Women's Surfing Competition at Wrightsville Beach

Wahines (wa-hee-nees), a Polynesian word meaning surfer girls, will compete in the Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17 and 18. Girls 13 and up and ladies of all ages will compete in amateur and pro shortboard and longboard divisions during the two-day event.

Jo Pickett, Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) longboard champion in 2012 and shortboard champion in 2006, will co-chair the Wahine Classic with Jack Viorel of Indo Jax Surf Charities. Blockade Runner Beach Resort will serve as host hotel. 

Pickett says, "We will have an elevated skill beyond what the girls in Wrightsville Beach usually see." Pickett and Viorel plan to expand the reach of the local contest, attracting regional and national contenders from the Outer Banks, South Carolina and Florida.

"Girls have come into their own in the last five years showing their competitive edge by surfing aggressively in the traditionally male-dominated sport," Viorel says. "It's good for girls at this stage of surfing to see what the possibilities are," he says. "We want to highlight the area as a great surfing destination for women and men, highlighting the talent on the East Coast."

 Surf events include a competitive guppies division, age 12 and under, and the teenie wahine division age 10 and under, with support person.

Taking advantage of Wrightsville's reputation as a SUP (stand up paddleboarding) hub, the Wahine Classic will introduce two standup paddleboard events - a race and standup paddle surf.

Qualifying heats in all contests begin Saturday, Aug. 17 with finals on Sunday, Aug. 18.

Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic registration deadline: August 12.

For information and registration contact Jo Pickett of Crystal South Surf Camps at (910) 465-9638 or Jack Viorel of Indo Jax Surf Charities at (910) 274-3565.