HONOLULU – The Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) today announced a landmark decision: surfing will officially become an interscholastic state championship sport beginning with the Spring 2026 season. This historic move marks a significant expansion of athletic opportunities for student-athletes and celebrates a sport deeply embedded in Hawaii’s culture.

The inaugural HHSAA Surfing State Tournament in 2026 will feature both boys’ and girls’ shortboard championships. This new championship provides a structured and competitive platform for Hawaii’s talented young surfers. The Maui Interscholastic League (MIL), which has been a pioneer in sanctioning interscholastic surfing since 2014, will proudly host the first state championship event, building on its 11 years of experience. While surfing has long been a popular club activity in various schools across the state, this official recognition elevates its status and provides a clear pathway for student-athletes to excel at the state level.

The establishment of this new championship was supported by the recent enactment of Hawaii House Bill 133 (HB133) as Act 141, which appropriated crucial funding to the Hawaii Department of Education for the development of surfing as an interscholastic sport. This legislative support underscores the state’s commitment to fostering diverse athletic opportunities within its educational system.

“This is a monumental day for Hawaii’s student-athletes and the sport of surfing,” said HHSAA Executive Director Chris Chun. “Surfing is deeply rooted in our culture and way of life, and we extend our sincere gratitude to our legendary surfers who have paved the way for this sport in Hawaii and around the world. We are thrilled to offer this incredible opportunity to high school students statewide, allowing them to compete for a state title in a sport they are passionate about. We look forward to crowning our first state champions in 2026.”

Surfing will become the 21st sport offered by the HHSAA (4th most in the entire country), further expanding the diverse athletic landscape for students. Last school year, the HHSAA also proudly added girls flag football to its roster of championship sports. With the addition of surfing, the HHSAA will now crown 52 team state champions and 112 individual champions annually, continuing its mission to promote sportsmanship, academic achievement, and healthy competition.