Hawaii is about to make waves in high school sports history. For the first time ever, the Aloha State will host a high school surfing state championship, and it's happening this weekend at Maui's iconic Ho'okipa Beach.
The Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) launched its inaugural surfing season this past year, and the response has been nothing short of epic. Nearly 60 private and public schools signed up, bringing close to 600 student-athletes to the water for the first official campaign.
"We had a lot of participation — more participation than what I thought," said Reid Yoshikawa, Kaimuki's athletic director and Oahu Interscholastic Association surf league adviser, in an interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Getting this championship to the starting line wasn't a simple paddle out. The HHSAA had to navigate a sea of challenges, from securing countless county permits for surf breaks to arranging watercraft and experienced safety crews. It was a massive undertaking that turned a dream into reality.
"We're really excited that so many schools are here and that our young female and male athletes have an opportunity to engage in a sport they have a passion for," said Teri Ushijima, assistant superintendent of the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design at the state Department of Education. "And at the same time, like any of our athletics, we want them to really develop all their skills — of course their athletic side, but really it's about teamwork, supporting others and showing good sportsmanship, being a role model to their peers. It's a journey, and we're very pleased that we're making progress."
Hawaii stands alone as the only state in the country where surfing is a high school sport. This weekend's championship marks a milestone that celebrates not just athletic achievement, but the spirit of the islands. "To all the student athletes, today's history," Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami shared in a recent Facebook post. "And what this league is about is not a..."
Whether you're a competitor, a fan, or just someone who loves the ocean, this is a moment to ride the wave of excitement. The first ever high school surfing state championship is here, and it's pure Hawaii.