The annual Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic all-female surf tournament ended its first day of competition today with lots of laughs and cheers as girls participating in the newly-added tandem surfing event delighted onlookers with their antics and skills.
As two girls simultaneously took to standing on the board, the girls would try a variety of different moves that included lifting each other, leg kicks, the “wheelbarrow” position and pirouettes. With each successful ride, the crowd would cheer and laugh while event announcer Mike Beech was quick with praise that was colored with his awe for their feats.
The event ended what was a long day for many surfers, most of whom were 14 years old or under. Since event organizer Jo Pickett allowed the girls to compete in events above their age group, several surfers found themselves in the water for as long as two straight hours.
“They wanted me to give them the opportunity,” Pickett said. “We’ll see what they think of it.”
The event on Saturday, Aug. 15, featured shortboard, longboard and the tandem events. The Sunday finale will also include standup paddleboard events.
Complicating all events were the small, “mushy” waves that roll slowly and lack power. The conditions weren’t a surprise to 12-year-old Katelyn Sewell of Wrightsville Beach.
“I was expecting worse, it’s a lot better than I thought it would be,” she said of the conditions.
To compensate, 12-year-old Casey Pardue used a technique called “pumping” where she would drive down the tail of the board.
“It gets you more speed to do your maneuvers,” Pardue said.
Reese Blue, 12, of Carolina Beach, said she had been preparing for the longboard event. While the small waves posed some problems, she had a variety of moves prepared.
“I have a meditating pose. I can do the flamingo,” Blue said of her longboard routine.
Madeline Eckel, 13, of Wrightsville Beach, said her longboard skills included a cross step to the nose and also riding backwards. She’s been in Pickett’s surf camp since she was 6 and was ready for the challenge of the conditions.
“Mushy waves can be hard to get into , but once a set comes in, it can be pretty fun and you can get some turns,” said Eckel, who had placed first in four of the five heats in which she competed.
Her friend, Parrin Spivey, 13, of Wrightsville Beach, no long does surf competitions, but was there to cheer on Eckel and the other girls.
“I like watching the tricks and turns she can do on the shortboard,” Spivey said.
While the under-14 age group was the largest in the competition, not all competitors were girls. Terry Green, who competed in the 35-and-older category, said “paddling really hard” was the only way to truly stay ahead of the slow rolling waves.
“You just have to be the lucky one and catch one,” she said of the waves.
However, for Green, the competition wasn’t about winning, but about having a competition for the girls.
“It’s really more about the kids than anything,”said Green, who added that often girls are forced to compete against boys in other contests. “This gives them a contest by themselves.”
