Folly Beach Wahine Classic is powered by movement & community
By Anne Toole
For nearly a quarter century, the Folly Beach Wahine Classic has brought women and girls together on the shores of Folly Beach for a weekend that celebrates far more than surfing.
The all-female surf competition welcomes participants of any age and ability, from young children catching their first waves to surfers who have been hanging ten for decades. While it showcases athletic talent and friendly competition, its deeper impact promotes the concept of movement as medicine: a healthy lifestyle where physical activity, mental well-being and community connection come together.
This year’s competition will be held July 25-26 at The Washout on Folly Beach.
“We want participants to feel like they can do it – whatever it is in life – to be inspired,” said Amber Doskos, marketing director for the Folly Beach Wahine Classic. “We want to make surfing more accessible to women, no matter their age or ability. Whether you’re competing or just watching, there’s a shared energy and support on the beach. We hope they leave feeling inspired, powerful and supported by the wahine community.”
More Than a Surf Competition
Unlike many sporting events where competition takes center stage, the Folly Wahine is built around positive support for others and the experience itself.
“In our amateur divisions, beginners paddle out alongside experienced surfers who are sharing words of encouragement rather than shouting competitive rhetoric,” Doskos explained. “This is the camaraderie we often mention. That mix of experience creates a really unique, inclusive energy that defines the event.”
The push-n-surf Teeny Wahine division is for surfers up to 8 years old – and even as young as 3 years old – and is a perfect way for aspiring wahines to get their feet wet in the sport.
“The entire beach comes together for them. You’ll see seasoned competitors, fellow surfers, families and supporters all lined up along the shoreline, cheering them on with so much genuine excitement.”
Surfing at Every Age
The Goddess division celebrates women aged 50 and older who embrace surfing as a lifelong pursuit.
“They bring a depth of experience, confidence and strength that is truly inspiring,” Doskos said. “They embody what it means to have a lifelong relationship with the ocean and with surfing and they set such a powerful example for younger generations.”
While surfing is a full-body workout, for many participants, its benefits extend beyond physical fitness.
“Surfing is incredibly therapeutic,” Doskos said. “It’s not just about being active, it’s about being present. When you’re in the water, you’re forced to disconnect from distractions and tune in to the rhythm of the ocean and that has a powerful effect on mental and emotional well-being. It can be meditative, grounding and even healing.”
In an era when stress, burnout and screen fatigue are increasingly common, surfing offers the opportunity to be engaged in the moment.
Research on blue spaces, or natural environments centered around water, supports what surfers experience firsthand.
“This research proves that being in or near the ocean reduces stress, encourages movement and even increases longevity,” Doskos explained.
Community and Ocean Stewardship
As a nonprofit surf competition, organizers work alongside local ocean-focused nonprofit partners like Warrior Surf Foundation, Surfers Healing, Waves 4 Women and She’s On Edge, helping to amplify wellness initiatives throughout the broader community.
With help from supporters and sponsors, the Folly Wahine Classic also places a strong emphasis on being plastic-free and low-waste to help protect the ocean.
The event showcases the power of movement and community.
As the event enters its 24th year, organizers hope its influence continues to reach far beyond the beach.
“We hope it shows the next generation that there’s space and opportunity for them in this world and in the water,” Doskos said. “When young girls see women of all ages and skill levels out there doing something powerful and joyful – especially in a male-dominated sport – it expands what they think is possible.”
That vision reflects the true power of movement as medicine. At the Folly Wahine, surfing becomes confidence-building, stress-relieving, community-strengthening and restorative.
Whether you keep your toes in the sand or are inspired to catch some waves yourself, the Folly Beach Wahine Classic invites you to be part of the experience. The annual event is the largest all-girls surf contest on the East Coast and attracts about 250 surfers from around the globe, as well as their families and spectators.
“It becomes less about competition and more about a celebration of courage, joy and the next generation,” Doskos said. “In those moments, you really see what the Folly Wahine Classic is all about: community, inclusivity and lifting each other up from the very beginning.”
To learn more about the Wahine Classic, visit www.follywahine.com.
