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Wahine Tournament

By Abi Nicholas

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Photo by Abi Nicholas
The Post and Courier

Wahine:(wah-hee-nee, -ney) – noun

1. A girl or young woman (in Hawaii and Polynesia).

2. Slang. A young woman surfer.

3. One of the best things about Folly Beach

Click here to view Wahine Tournament photo gallery

There’s something about standing on the shore with your board, entranced by the ebb and fl ow of the ocean, that calms the soul.

And something about standing there with your friends, your sisters of the sea, that excites it.

Nothing — not fl at surf or a dislocated knee — could crush the vibe at this year’s Folly Beach Wahine Classic. The Eastern Surfi ng Association event was held May 31-June 1 at The Washout, a stretch along

“The Edge of America” regarded as one of the top 30 East Coast surfi ng spots. For the fi rst time this year, the all women surfing competition was a charity event, with proceeds benefitting Dragon Boat Charleston, a paddling team comprised of cancer survivors.

More about camaraderie than competition, the annual surf contest attracts wahines of all ages and from all over the Southeast to reunite with good friends, share a few laughs, win a few prizes and, of course, catch as many waves as possible.

But day one this year was plagued with fl at surf, the waves breaking ankle-deep. That didn’t sink the scene on the sand, though. Between the parties, live music, good food, games and prizes, the waves almost seemed to play second fiddle.

Almost.

A little disappointed but not without hope, co-organizer Nancy Hussey pulled out the mahogany “Tiki wave god.” The Wave Tiki has been called upon to summon good surf since the fi rst year of the Wahine Classic in 2001.

“The surf will come,” Hussey said at the end of the fi rst day.

And as if by magic, the waves began to swell. By day two, the break was waist-high, and the mood on the water was as lively as it had been all weekend under the tents.

Hussey was right: the Wave Tiki never fails.

Indonesian masks, above, wait to be claimed by the best Wahine competitors.

Handmade in Bali, the masks represent Sita, goddess of fertility.

Photo by Abi Nicholas/ The Post and Courier

6 yr. old, Grace Brown of James Island

The Folly Beach competition drew surfers of all ages. At right, 6-year-old Grace Brown of James Island follows her father's advice and rides "low like the grass" during the Push 'n Surf competition.

More than anything, the Wahine surf contest is a time for women of the sport to make new friends and reunite with old ones.

Photo by Abi Nicholas
The Post and Courier

Carrie Danker of Sebastians Inlet, Fla.

Click here to view Wahine Tournament photo gallery

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