Wahines (wa-hee-nees), a Polynesian word meaning surfer girls, will compete in the Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic on Saturday and Sunday, August 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. Surf events include a competitive guppies division, age 12 and under, and the teenie wahine division age 10 and under, with support person.
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.
Taking advantage of Wrightsville’s reputation as a SUP hub, the Wahine Classic will introduce two standup paddleboard events – a race and standup paddle surf. Qualifying heats in all contests begin on August 17 with finals on August 18. Jarrod Covington, Wrightsville Beach Biathlon Champion, held in March each year at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, will coordinate SUP activities.
Following the Wahine Classic, Surfers Healing returns to Wrightsville Beach on August 19. Founded in California by professional surfer Izzy Paskowitz , Surfers Healing shares the unique therapy of surfing with children with autism. Wrightsville Beach is one of only 14 locations on the 2013 US and Canadian tour.
The Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic registration deadline is on August 12.
Head judge, Liz Hauser, is a Wilmington native that Pickett taught to surf at the age of eight. Now a resident of Puerto Rico, Hauser is a judge for the Asociacion Profesional de Surfing de Puerto Rico.
National Geographic Magazine named Wrightsville Beach one of the World’s 20 Best Surf Towns in 2012.
For more information, visit www.blockade-runner.com or www.crystalsouthsurfcamp.com/wrightsville-beach-wahine-classic.cfm.
