Local 17-year-old becomes Wahine Classic’s First sponsored surfer
by Liz Wolfe | Contributing Writer
The Folly Beach Wahine Classic, a long-running women’s surf contest and nonprofit, has launched a new initiative to support young athletes in the local surf community. This year, the organization named 17-year-old Skye Dominguez, a junior at Lucy Beckham High School, as its first-ever sponsored surfer.
“It’s a new initiative for the Wahine — part of our giving back to the community campaign,” said Dr. Nicole Elko, Wahine’s executive director. “Skye really exemplifies all of the characteristics of this type of award winner. We could call it the Skye Dominguez award moving forward because she’s so perfect.”
The one-year sponsorship is designed to help cover contest entry fees and travel-related expenses, which can quickly add up for surfers chasing their dreams.
“Our idea is to help young surfers make the jump to semi-professional surfing,” Elko explained. “It’s so expensive. Registrations are high and travel costs are too. The scholarship is money because we felt that was the most impactful. Roxy will send you clothes, but that’s not what this is.”
Elko said the choice was obvious.
“Skye was our first place shortboard champion this year. She is a stand-out human being in the Charleston surf community. I talked with our board members and a lot of other people that the Wahine respects and admires. I mentioned this new award and everyone said, ‘Skye Dominguez!’”
Dominguez’s contributions to the surf community extend far beyond competition.
“She doesn’t just compete. She judges, she volunteers. She coaches the younger generation. She has a positive attitude, is so giving, and has that service mindset built into her,” Elko said. Academic excellence is also part of the criteria: Dominguez maintains a 4.0 GPA.
For Dominguez, the sponsorship came as a surprise. “I was in complete shock,” she said. “Marshall DePass, who is the ESA SSC Director, said I should push for it. He’s like my second dad. When Nicole called me and said the Wahine would help out with my contest fees and travel expenses, I was so grateful. I’m really trying to qualify for the World Qualifying Series, so I’m doing a few events to get my feet wet.”
According to Dominguez , the support means more than financial help.
“It’s a mental asset, knowing I have people supporting me. I’m not just surfing for me. I’m doing it for Folly Beach and the Wahine and that entire support system,” she says.
Dominguez grew up surfing Folly Beach with her parents and entered her first contest at age 8. She now competes at every level — regionals, nationals, the Eastern Surfing Championships, USA Prime events, and even World Surf League Qualifying Series contests.
And despite her desire to surf breaks all over the world, she still has love for Folly’s fickle waves.
“Every time we have a swell, you get to see everyone you know. The culture is so cool. Everyone is free to be creative and being able to share that is so fun,” she said.
The local surf scene has shaped Dominguez both in and out of the water.
“No matter if I win or lose, I have such a cool home to come back to,” she said. “Recently I’ve been really inspired by Cam Richards, the Davis brothers, the DePass family, and even some other older guys whose names I don’t even know — they have all just been so nice.”
Balancing surf and school isn’t easy, but Dominguez makes it work.
“I keep school first. I want to go to San Diego State. I’m trying to keep my grades up to go there. I really want to study business,” she said.
But being a West Coast business maven isn’t her only goal. She says she hopes to be an East Coast Champ and to make it to the Challenger Series someday, and the USA National Final would be a dream come true for Dominguez. For now, she’s just enjoying the sport.
“Having fun out there, no matter whether I’m competing or not,” she said
If surfing has taught Dominguez anything, it’s a lesson she carries with her every day: “Go with the flow and don’t rush things. Just take the opportunities you’re given as they come and do them to the fullest.”
With the Wahine’s support behind her, Dominguez is ready to take that lesson—and her surfing—as far as she can.
