WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (WECT) – The Wahine Classic, an all-female surf competition, returned for its 12th year in Wrightsville Beach on August 3rd and 4th.

The competition is one of the only all-female surfing competitions on the East Coast. Organizer Jo Pickett says there were 70 participants this year who ranged in age from 3 to 50.

Pickett says most of the surfers were from North Carolina, South Carolina or Virginia.

Delilah Hutchins, however, traveled from Costa Rica to participate.

Hutchins took home 1st place in the 18-and-up longboard competition.

She grew up in Wrightsville Beach but now lives in Costa Rica, an opportunity she says she wouldn’t have without surfing.

“I think my favorite part about surfing is the people that I’ve met through the surfing community and the places that it’s taken me. Traveling around the world and living in Costa Rica, it’s all because of surfing,” Hutchins said.

Hutchins has competed in the Wahine Classic several times before and says she admires how Pickett runs the competition.

“This is one of the most fun competitions that I do, because it’s all good vibes and, like, everybody’s having a really good time,” Hutchins said.

Pickett says the competition was started in 2013 to promote women to participate in the sport.

“To support women in the ocean, well, women and girls, so that the young girls would feel comfortable and challenge themselves to go out and have fun in the ocean,” Pickett said.

Pickett hopes the competition will continue for years to come.

If you want to check out results from this year’s competition, click here.

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