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The waves are calling once again as one of the Lowcountry’s most beloved summer traditions returns to the Edge of America. The 24th Annual Folly Beach Wahine Classic will take place Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, 2026, bringing hundreds of female surfers, their families, and spectators to the famed Washout on Folly Beach for a weekend celebrating athleticism, community, and the ocean.
Now entering its 24th year, the Wahine Classic has grown into the largest all-female nonprofit surfing competition on the East Coast and remains South Carolina’s only all-women’s surf contest. The event has become a hallmark of the Charleston summer, drawing nearly 250 competitors from across the United States, ranging from first-time young surfers to seasoned wave riders.
“Wahine,” the Hawaiian word for woman, perfectly captures the spirit of the event. While competition is certainly part of the weekend, the heart of the Wahine Classic lies in its mission of empowering women and girls through surfing while fostering mentorship, friendship, and confidence both in and out of the water.
More Than a Surf Contest
For spectators, the Wahine Classic offers far more than watching surfers carve through Folly’s famous breaks.
The Washout transforms into a vibrant gathering place where beachgoers can experience the welcoming culture that has made Folly Beach one of the Southeast’s premier surf destinations. Families spread out beach chairs, photographers line the shoreline, and cheers echo across the surf as competitors tackle the Atlantic swells.
Admission is free, making it one of the best family-friendly events of the summer on the South Carolina coast. Competition begins each morning around 7:30 a.m., with heats running throughout the day depending on surf conditions.
Surfing for a Greater Cause
The Wahine Classic has always been about giving back.
As a registered nonprofit organization, proceeds and donations from the event help support several organizations dedicated to ocean conservation, adaptive surfing, and women’s empowerment. Beneficiaries include the Warrior Surf Foundation, Surfers Healing, Waves 4 Women, She’s On Edge, the Charleston Surfrider Foundation, and the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network.
The event also continues its commitment to environmentally responsible practices by promoting sustainability and encouraging beach stewardship throughout the weekend.
A Signature Folly Beach Tradition
For many Charleston-area residents, the Wahine Classic has become as much a part of summer as sunsets over the Morris Island Lighthouse and afternoons on Center Street.
Whether you’re a lifelong surfer or someone simply looking to enjoy an unforgettable weekend by the ocean, the event showcases the welcoming, laid-back spirit that has long defined Folly Beach.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, bring sunscreen, plenty of water, and be prepared for a full day of exciting competition at one of the East Coast’s most iconic surf breaks.
As hundreds of women paddle into the Atlantic this July, they’ll continue a tradition nearly a quarter-century in the making—one built on courage, camaraderie, and the simple joy of riding a wave.
The 24th Annual Folly Beach Wahine Classic promises another memorable weekend where competition meets community, proving once again that some of the strongest waves are the ones that bring people together.
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Photo credit: Visit Folly Beach
