In its 11th year, the Folly Beach Wahine Classic, an all-female surfing contest, has grown to be a highlight of the local surfing season, trumped only by the Governor’s Cup state championships and the Surfer’s Healing day camp.

But this year, expect Wahine to be particularly festive.

“This is my last year with the contest,” half-vows Wahine co-organizer Nancy Hussey, “and I want it to be a three-ring circus.”

While the focus will be on a variety of surf contests, including paddleboarding and tandem, the event will offer beach volleyball and Frisbee golf, and perhaps Waboba surf ball demos.

“If the waves are small and it’s hot, it will be nice to have something else to do,” said Hussey, one of Folly’s most enduring “surf moms.”

Expect some random side shows, as well.

Barbizon, a modeling agency, donated $500 to the contest, which is the largest fundraiser for the Surfer’s Healing day camp for children with autism, and will have a tent set up for a model search.

Hussey said the Miss USA pageant also has been in touch with her about participating, perhaps setting up a tent.

And while girls and women can sign up for the Wahine (the sooner, the better), Hussey said the contest is drawing more out-of-town surfers than usual. One former local surfer is coming from California to participate.

Hussey credits the attention to more media coverage of the event. Famed surfer-photographer Aaron Chang describes it as one of his favorite surfing events.

The Wahine Classic will be Saturday and Sunday at The Washout on Folly Beach.

ALS Beach Run
Beach runs are a hallmark of the summer running scene in the Charleston area, and one of the classics, the HOPE Beach 5K for ALS, holds its 12th annual event at 6 p.m. Saturday on the beach on the Isle of Palms.

The 5K benefits ALS research and awareness. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, slowly progressing to paralysis and death.

The fee for the race is $25. Packet pick-up and late registration will be 4-8 p.m. Friday at the MUSC Wellness Center, 45 Courtenay Drive, and 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday at Isle of Palms Fire Station, 30 J.C. Long Blvd.

Find out more at www. actioncarolina.com.

Wounded Warriors
Floyd Brace Co., which specializes in prosthetics, is hosting the inaugural Sweat’n for a Reason 5K at 8 a.m. Saturday at The Ponds in Summerville.

The event will raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project and the Phoenix Athletes, a local group that helps people who have lost a limb reach goals. Registration fees are $30 for adults and $20 for ages 16 and under.

Go to www.active.com.
Taste of Italy

The Race the Landing 5K series at Charles Towne Landing resumes tonight with the themed “Taste of Italy” night, starting with a kids run at 6:15 p.m. and a 5K at 7 p.m., finished off with Italian food at the post-race dinner.

The fee is $25 for the 5K and $10 for the kids race. Money raised will go to Friends of Charles Towne Landing to help with expenses of the park not covered by state funding.

Go to racethelanding.com.
Learn to Row

Charleston Community Rowing Club will hold a Learn to Row Camp for all ages starting Monday. Camps will be at 5:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until June 29 at the pavilion between Brittlebank Park and Bristol Marina. The cost is $12 per session,with a minimum of four to six sessions based on experience.

For more, contact Cammi Stanko at coachcammi@gmail.com.

Get Out(doors)
Fort Sumter National Monument will host a National Get Outdoors Day event at Liberty Square in downtown Charleston 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.

The event will offer a mix of information centers and active fun areas: places where guests, and especially kids, can play with historic games and toys, play games that are ecologically related to the Lowcountry, and visit with area organizations about outdoor recreational opportunities and healthy living.

GO Day is an outgrowth of the Get Outdoors USA! campaign, which encourages Americans, especially youths, to seek out healthy, active outdoor lives and embrace our parks, forests, refuges, and other public lands and waters.

Check out www.nps.gov/fosu for more information.

Reach David Quick at 937-5516.