Too much sun, a little surf, and lots of sisterhood
by Liz Wolfe | Contributing Writer
Female surfers of all ages and skill levels gathered on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 for the 23rd annual Folly Beach Wahine Classic (aka The Wahine). The surf competition — which attracted competitors from across the southeast — is the longest running all-female surf contest on the East Coast and South Carolina’s only all-women’s surf contest.
Although the surf conditions weren’t perfect, with smaller, knee to thigh-high waves and a mix of cross and onshore winds throughout the weekend, they were more than enough for the women and girls to showcase their skills.
Among them was Abby Hutchison, who secured first place in both Women 26-34 [Shortboard] and Women 26-34 Longboard divisions. “Winning felt absolutely amazing,” says Hutchison, who first fell in love with surfing when her dad pushed her into a wave on a family beach trip at age 10.
Now she’s grown, putting in the hard work — and has the chops to prove it. But she stays humble. “With so much talent in the water, I’m honestly still in disbelief,” she says. “I’m overflowing with gratitude.”
Wahine, which is the Hawaiian word for “woman,” is a common term used throughout surf culture when referring to a female surfer. But Wahine isn’t just a person — it’s also a sense of belonging, says Kate Barattini, who took home gold in the Ladies 35-49 Longboard and silver in the Ladies 35-49 [Shortboard] divisions. “Wahine is a reunion — a place where all manner of surfing women can reconnect because we’re not always able to catch up throughout the year,” she says. “It’s incredible to see one another grow as surfers, become mothers; girls become teens. We see women embrace the changes that come with a life well lived and cradled in the ocean.”
This year’s competition drew approximately 250 Wahines and featured divisions ranging from longboard and shortboard to non-age-specific categories including novice, pro, bodyboarding, SUP, and tandem.
In addition to the competitors, hundreds of spectators — including vendors, community organizers, and other supporters — came out to take part in the festivities. And while all eyes were on the water, it was hard to ignore the temperature on the beach.
Participants and onlookers alike braved two full days of extreme heat with highs in the 90s and “feels like” temperatures surpassing 100 degrees.
Still, organizers kept the Gatorade flowing and the stoke high with raffles — including surfboards from McKevlin’s Surf Shop — and lots of fun merchandise from small women-owned businesses like Girls Go Shred, Surfer Betty, and shes on edge.
All competitors were celebrated with a group photo, and those who placed in their respective heats received swag bags. Trophies were awarded to the youngest and newest surfers, and cash prizes went to winners in the Open Pro divisions.
While the prizes were plentiful, the real reward was the palpable camaraderie and friendship among the competitors.
“The Wahine is a place where women get to be—and really feel—a part of our collective local and East Coast surfing community,” says Jess Preedom, who placed second in the Women 26-34 Shortboard and third in the Women 26-34 Longboard divisions. “The memories, friendships, and womanly empowerment is really a beautiful thing to be a part of.”
The Wahine may be over, but the magic of the weekend keeps rolling on.
Wahine Final Scores
Menehune 11 & Under
1st Place – Carmen Politis
2nd Place – Sophia Tang
3rd Place – Olive Edwards
Girls 12-16
1st Place – Emerson Clark
2nd Place – Lani Rodriguez
3rd Place – Micah Stanfield (Sponsored by McKevlin’s)
Junior Women 17-25
1st Place – Georgia Brown (Sponsored by Play Salty)
2nd Place – Skye Dominguez
3rd Place – Camden Hoover
Women 26-34
1st Place – Abby Hutchison
2nd Place – Jess Preedom
3rd Place – Hannah Ellis
Ladies 35-49
1st Place – Kristin Tanner (Sponsored by McKevlin’s)
2nd Place – Kate Barattini (Sponsored by McKevlin’s)
3rd Place – Perng Hutson (Sponsored by McKevlin’s)
Goddess 50+
1st Place – Jenny Brown (Sponsored by Play Salty)
2nd Place – Alicia O’Connor
3rd Place – Erin Whittle
Menehune 11 & Under Longboard
1st Place – Carmen Politis
2nd Place – Coco Guss
3rd Place – Allie DeBiasi
Girls 12-16 Longboard
1st Place – Skylar Steinmetz
2nd Place – Whitney Gwisc
3rd Place – Carson Crandell
Junior Women 17-25 Longboard
1st Place – Anna Bloess (Sponsored by Caribbean Breeze)
2nd Place – Brooke Tribolet
3rd Place – Grace Brown (Sponsored by Alfredo’s On Folly)
Women 26-34 Longboard
1st Place – Abby Hutchison
2nd Place – Liv Davis
3rd Place – Jess Preedom
Ladies 35-49 Longboard
1st Place – Kate Barattini (Sponsored by McKevlin’s)
2nd Place – Perng Hutson (Sponsored by McKevlin’s)
3rd Place – Kristin Tanner (Sponsored by McKevlin’s)
Goddess 50+ Longboard
1st Place – Jenny Brown (Sponsored by Play Salty)
2nd Place – Tara Novit
3rd Place – Nicole Elko (Sponsored by Marinex)
Open SUP
1st Place – Rebecca Maphis
2nd Place – Lani Rodriguez
3rd Place – Arya Rodriguez
Open Bodyboard
1st Place – Skye Dominguez
2nd Place – Abbey Johnston
3rd Place – Kasey O’Haren
Open Novice
1st Place – Elizabeth Minikel
2nd Place – Charlie Simmons (Sponsored by Free Fly Apparel)
3rd Place – Christy McDermott
Push-n-Surf (8 years and younger
Everyone’s a winner!
Open Wahine Tandem
1st Place – Carson Crandell (& Partner)
2nd Place – Whitney Gwisc(& Partner)
3rd Place – Summer Ciell (& Partner)
Open Pro Shortboard
1st Place – Skye Dominguez
2nd Place – Anna Bloess (Sponsored by Caribbean Breeze)
3rd Place – Skylar Steinmetz
Open Pro Longboard
1st Place – Dylan Sharp
2nd Place – Karson Lewis
3rd Place – Georgia Brown
Reflections from an O.G. Wahine
Catching up with local surf champ Kristin Tanner after the 23rd annual Folly Beach Wahine Classic
interview by Liz Wolfe | Contributing Writer
Following the competition, we chatted with McKevlin’s Surf Shop team rider Kristin Tanner, who placed first in the Ladies 35-49 [Shortboard] and Ladies 35-49 Longboard divisions to talk all things Wahine.
Folly Current: How many years have you done the Wahine?
Kristin Tanner: I’ve been doing the Folly Beach Wahine every year since the very first contest, so 23 years! A group of awesome Folly Beach female surfers used to always take the road trip to North Carolina to compete in the Wrightsville Beach Wahine surf contest and my mom and I (along with the rest of my family) would travel to be a part of it. Those OG ladies (Katie Coryell and Kelly Kane Wood) experienced the excitement of having a bunch of female surfers showcasing their talents all in one space and decided to bring the idea to Folly Beach and the rest is history! It has continued to grow every year, and it’s been so cool watching it blossom into what it is today!
FC: What does the Wahine mean to you and why do you do it each year?
KT: The Wahine is by far my favorite contest of the year. It’s one of the only contests of its kind that truly highlights the energy of female surfing. One thing that has not changed over the years is the continuous support that women show to one another throughout the weekend both in and out of the water. Rather than cutting an eye or looking at each other as competition, this event focuses on lifting one another up and encouraging each other to have fun and show what we can do! We’ve had years with perfect conditions and we’ve had years where the conditions were less than ideal- but the positive energy that radiates throughout the weekend never changes. Every year is full of smiles, all different styles, and there’s never a lack of stoke!
FC: How did it feel to place in both ladies short- and longboard divisions?
KT: I’m very proud to have placed 1st in Ladies Shortboard and 3rd in Ladies Longboard. I consider myself to be much more of a shortboarder than a longboarder so anytime I make a longboard final is an accomplishment for me! Shortboard is more of my strong suits, so my expectations are always higher for myself when in my SB heats. While female surfing has continued to grow in popularity, so has the level of talent that we see out in the water every year. There are some really gifted female surfers out in the water nowadays and it forces me to continue challenging myself and my abilities. This year was even more special because my McKevlin’s Team chicas secured the top 3 spots with me! (Yay Perng Hudson & Kate! #surfmckevlins)
