Update: The Wahine Classic has relocated to the Carolina Beach pier in 2020, according to Jo Pickett, the event organizer. Competition dates remain the same, August 15 and 16. Pickett expects the Classic to return to Wrightsville Beach in 2021.

Update: The Wahine Classic has relocated to the Carolina Beach pier in 2020, according to Jo Pickett, the event organizer. Competition dates remain the same, August 15 and 16. Pickett expects the Classic to return to Wrightsville Beach in 2021.

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC – The Wahine Classic, North Carolina’s most prestigious and longest-running surf event for women and girls, returns to Wrightsville Beach Aug. 14-16, 2020. Open to lady surfers of all ages, competitors will include amateurs, professionals, and teenie-wahines.

“The mission of Wahine Classic is to empower girls of all ages, build their self-confidence and self-esteem, and promote physical, mental, and emotional wellness,” said Jo Pickett, event organizer. “The atmosphere is friendly and enjoyable, where many girls get their start and their first taste of surfing competition. Everybody’s happy and laughing.”

“Competing with all girls creates a fun atmosphere where we can be competitive but become even better friends,” said Callie Hertz of Wilmington, winner of three Wahine Classic titles in 2019 (Junior Women Shortboard, Girls Under 16 Shortboard, and Junior Women Longboard). “If it hadn't been for the Wahine Classic, I am not sure I would have gotten into competitive surfing.”

“2017 was my first year to compete in the Wahine Classic,” added Hertz. “That was my first surf contest ever. I’m really excited to compete again this year. I know there will be even more girls, which is always a good thing. The encouraging vibes at the Wahine Classic helped me gain the confidence to compete in other surf contests.”

“It is promising to see surfing and more watersports opportunities for ladies and girls,” said Mary Baggett, co-owner of host hotel Blockade Runner Beach Resort. “With surfing now an Olympic sport, one day, we hope to see our North Carolina Wahine Classic girls on the podium wearing gold, silver, or bronze.”

“The health and safety of our participants and spectators are of paramount importance,” said Pickett. “All athletes will be provided face masks and required to comply with local and state safety regulations to combat the spread of COVID19.”

Competitive sports for the 2020 Wahine Classic include shortboard, longboard, standup paddleboard, and soft top. Divisions include guppies, girls, junior women, women, professionals, and the ever-popular Teenie-Wahine. Check the Wahine Classic website for a breakout of the competitive sports by division.

Division winners will receive prizes contributed by local, national, and international businesses. A cash prize is provided in the Pro Divisions. Several lucky recipients will win a surf trip to Costa Rica, courtesy of Jo Pickett, the event’s organizer, and Crystal South Surf Community. 

Over twenty-five sponsors make the Wahine Classic possible, including Marine Warehouse Center, Blockade Runner Beach Resort, Oceanic Restaurant, and the Crystal South Surf Community.

Co-directors of the Wahine Classic are Amy Rose, Mid-Atlantic regional director of the Eastern Surfing Association, and Mary Ann Mangiacapre, former competition director of the Eastern Surfing Association. Other members of the team (not all-inclusive) include Will McEachern, event announcer; Craig Newkirk, EMT, beach marshal, and set up; Gina Gray, tabulator; Johnny Langone, scaffolding; and, Ed Potter, event photographer. Event judges are Jesse Heter, Trevor Francis, Alexander Harris, Ken Roberts, and Bradley Rose. 2020 Ambassadors include Roxy Chaney, Callie Summerlin, Delilah Hutchins, Samantha Newkirk, Leah Thompson, and Callie Hertz.  

“We’re very proud of all the girls participating each year in the Wahine Classic,” said Pickett. “As the young girls become teenagers and move into their 20s, their accomplishments are impressive. Many will keep the ocean an important part of their lives.”

“At 16, I am figuring out my long-term goals,” said Hertz. “Whatever I do, I hope that surfing will be a big part of it.”

Contact:

Jo Pickett, Event Organizer

Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic

(910) 465-9638

Robert B Butler 

Permission granted for redistribution.

#WrightsvilleBeach #NorthCarolina #WahineClassic #Surfing #PaddleSurf #Shortboard #Longboard #BlockadeRunner #TeenieWahine #JoPickett #CallieHertz #EasternSurfingAssociation

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC – The final of three headline surf events in August in Wrightsville Beach ended today. "The girls are all smiles, and their families had a great time," said Jo Pickett, event organizer for the long-running and prestigious Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic.

"Our contestants came from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia," said Pickett. "We had 62 athletes and 105 event entries." Wahine Classic is always open to lady surfers of all ages. Competitors include teenie-wahines, amateurs, and professionals.

Fifteen-year-old Callie Hertz of Wilmington posted an impressive performance in 2019, winning the titles in Junior Women Shortboard, Girls Under 16 Shortboard, and Junior Women Longboard. Hertz posted second place, with partner Natalie Parker in Tandem Longboard, and was awarded a special presentation from Michael Paul's Surfboard Shaping School, aligned with Hot Wax Surf Shop.

Surf conditions for Wahine Classic were favorable, starting with light waves, Northerly wind, and clear to partly cloudy skies on Saturday. Conditions on Sunday were more challenging as steady Northerly winds gained speed while wave action increased in interval and height. "Waves were quite contestable on Sunday," added Pickett.

Vivian Jordan of Myrtle Beach captured the Open Shortboard title, while Becca Kenney of Wrightsville Beach won the Women Shortboard category. Kylee Heath of Carolina Beach was the top-performer in Girls Under 14 Shortboard.

Samantha Newkirk of Wrightsville Beach earned the Women Longboard title, and Kylee Heath of Carolina Beach was top-of-the-podium for Girls Under 14 Longboard. Nancy Salter of Virginia Beach took top honors in the Standup Paddleboard category.

Over twenty-five sponsors make the Wahine Classic possible, including Marine Warehouse Center and the Crystal South Surf Community. Blockade Runner Beach Resort is host hotel and long-time supporter of the Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic.

"Wahine Classic inspires, motivates, and develops community with the ladies and their families," said Pickett. "Surfing is now in the 2020 Olympics in Japan, with each country represented by female and male surfers.”

Complete list of winners:

Open Shortboard

Vivian Jordan, Myrtle Beach, SC

Krista Grace Hammel, South Carolina

Samantha Newkirk, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Malia Harrell, Oak Island, NC

Women Shortboard

Becca Kenney, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Samantha Newkirk, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Vivian Jordan, Myrtle Beach, SC

Michaela Boone, Wilmington, NC

Junior Women Shortboard

Callie Hertz, Wilmington, NC

Malia Harrell, Oak Island, NC

Roxy Chaney, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Alyssa Parker, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Girls Under 16 Shortboard

Callie Hertz, Wilmington, NC

Alyssa Parker, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Lucy Ferguson, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Ashton Loring, South Carolina

Girls Under 14 Shortboard

Kylee Heath, Carolina Beach, NC

Krista Grace Hammel, Sunset Beach, SC

Ella Champion, Oak Island, NC

Malia Womble, Wilmington, NC

Women Longboard

Samantha Newkirk, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Vivian Jordan, Myrtle Beach, SC

Nicole Morrisette, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Nicole Elko, Folly Beach, SC

Junior Women Longboard

Callie Hertz, Wilmington, NC

Lucy Ferguson, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Delilah Hutchinson, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Ashton Loring, South Carolina

Girls Under 14 Longboard

Kylee Heath, Carolina Beach, NC

Molly Loring, South Carolina

Ella Champion, Oak Island, NC

Brantley, Mapp

Standup Paddleboard

Nancy Salter, Virginia Beach, VA

Sherry Correll, Virginia Beach, NC

Elle Newkirk, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Kate Lewis, New Bern, NC

Foamy Soft Top

Gracie Kean

Brantley Mapp

Guppies Shortboard

Whitney Gwise

Libby Kate Hammel, Sunset Beach, SC

Bella Faircloth

Ainsley Payne, Folly Beach, SC

Guppies Soft Top

Whitney Gwise

Carson Crandell

Ella Grey Rich

Gabby Grant

Tandem

Alyssa Parker and Samantha Newkirk

Callie Hertz and Natalie Parker

Kylee Heath and Ella Champion

Ashton Loring and Molly Loring

Halladay Stoval and Eva Datillo

Contact:

Jo Pickett, Event Organizer

Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic

Robert B Butler 

Permission granted for redistribution.

#WrightsvilleBeach #NorthCarolina #WahineClassic #SurfersHealing #ONeillSweetwater #ProAmSurfFest #Surfing #PaddleSurf #Shortboard #Longboard #BlockadeRunner #TeenieWahine #JoPickett #BradBeach #JohnPike #Autism #IzzyPaskowitz

#EasternSurfingAssociation