The tradition since 1997, has reached its 13^th year and 150 girls and women came to compete on the sunny beach. The small, slow-moving waves did not stop the girls from giving it their all in each division for all ages and board types.

The first day, lacking in wave height, high energy and supporting family members kept the participants shredding the waves with grand efforts to win first prize. Around the surf zones, marked by bright orange buoys, were locals surfing on their own while some played in the water and on the sandy beach. Groups playing bocce ball and peppering volleyball also enjoyed the heat and played while the contenders continued with the competition. While music played the announcer broadcast wave-by-wave action for the last group to grace the waves for the day. During the competition the announcer got the crowd involved by asking questions such as, "What is the capital of North Carolina?" and "What is the original capital of the confederacy?" Kids jumped at the question and others yelled from the sidelines as the announcer continued to ask questions and keep the crowd engaged.

Staff photo by Allison Breiner. Top: Nikki Viesens, member of the 2009 PacSun USA Surf Team, took first place in the Grommette and Girls shortboard finals at the 13th annual East Coast Wahine Championships

The surf had greatly diminished and many onlookers had left the beach as the last group attempted to catch the maximum12 waves per participant. While all that was left was the judges’ stand and some sponsor tents the five wahines tried their hardest, though clearly tired. After one surfer caught a wave, immediately a second stood up on her own. Families, the only crowd left in support of the competition, cheered for their surfers. The long 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. day came to a slow end, while the others went home to rest up for the second day of sun, surf and sand.

With tents lining the edge of the shore, the second day, began precisely at 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., drawing many supporters on the beach who took pictures and cheered.

Around lunchtime, at the height of the competition and heat rising, 7^th grader Danielle Cleary surfed among the group and caught many waves as the commentator focused on her talent. The 12 year old began surfing only three years prior to this competition. Danielle, a Wilmington native, was among other competitors in her age range who came from all over to put their surfing abilities to the test.

A family originally from North Carolina, now residing in Arizona came all the way to the coast so that three of the family members could compete. The youngest, Sadie Keyser was getting ready to compete in the Guppy division.

"Her mother and sister are also competing," said Sadie’s father, proud supporter. "Her mom is in the Goddess division and her sister is in the Novice. They are down at the shore watching right now."

As the Guppies soon took their chance on the small waves, their parents stood close by assisting in push offs. Guppies had their own color, most matching their rash guard to their surfboard.

"This is probably the proudest moment for the dads out here," the announcer commented.

"The saddest moment was when my daughter said, ‘Don’t push me anymore,’ and now she is the East Coast champion."

The spirits were kept high to the tunes of The Eagles’ "Hotel California" as the body boarders showed off their spins and balance on the waves. During the competition, T-shirts were sold and many competitors and onlookers relaxed in the sun, hula hooped and sculpted sand castles. Many people came to watch the exciting two-day wahine championship where girls and women of all ages are given the annual chance to show off their talent and everything the ocean has allowed them to learn on their long, short and body boards.

For championship results visit: http://www.eastcoastwahines.com/2009-results/