Garden Island Boogie Board Classic returns this July; pros will compete for $13K purse

The Garden Island Boogie Board Classic – courtesy of nonprofit organization Kaikeha – will return to Prince Kūhiō Beach on the South Shore of Kaua‘i this July 12-14.

The annual event turns 6 years old in 2024; the Garden Island Boogie Board Classic celebrated its fifth anniversary last summer.

Nine divisions are currently open for registration: Super Grom (9 and under, keiki push-in); Menehune (10-13); Juniors (14-17); Girls (17 and under); Open Women (18+); Open Men (18+); Masters (35+); Open Pro and Drop Knee Pro.

Both Girls and Open Women have very few spots left. Amateur Divisions are $25 and Pro Divisions are $200. Competitors who wish to register can visit www.kaikeha.org. The prize purse for the pro divisions will be $13,000.

Local talent to watch includes Aarya Tabalno – last year Aarya was crowned as the International Bodyboarding Corporation Pro Junior Women’s World Champion – and Dave Hubbard, a 10-time world champion in the Drop Knee Division.

Competitors continue to flock to the Garden Island Boogie Board Classic from throughout the state of Hawai‘i and the mainland United States. Also worth watching will be the Paepoo Invitational, a division made possible in 2023 by local artist Lloyd Boards, which brought fun memories and smiles to faces in the crowd.