Remember those days when bodyboarding was king? When names like Mike Stewart, Jeff Hubbard, and Kainoa McGee dominated our conversations and magazine covers?  Hana Ahn certainly does – and he's bringing it all back through the So Stoked Boogie Series and Triple Crown of Bodyboarding.

What started as a pandemic pivot has blossomed into a full-fledged movement. When COVID-19 shut down the football programs Ahn coached, his focus shifted to the ocean. "We turned to the water and while doing the water, the boys started to get good at bodyboarding," Ahn explains. This organic return to the waves sparked something bigger – a mission to revitalize a beloved water sport that had faded from prominence.

Today, the Triple Crown of Bodyboarding encompasses competitions at legendary spots including Sandy Beach and Pipeline, featuring six divisions from keiki (10-13 years) to professionals. Beyond traditional divisions, Ahn has introduced creative categories like synchronized bodyboarding, where two riders perform identical tricks on the same wave. This comprehensive approach isn't just about competition – it's about rebuilding an entire ecosystem that once supported professional bodyboarding, complete with sponsors, events, and pathways to professional careers.

The vision extends internationally too. Ahn has taken groups of young Hawaiian riders to Portugal for the IBC World Tour, where several reached quarterfinals and beyond. "We're trying to build the sport for the youngins," Ahn shares, "so if this is their dream and their passion, they can actually make money off of it." It's a mission to ensure this generation of bodyboarders has the same opportunities – and more – than previous ones.

Beyond the waves, Ahn is reviving the cultural scene that once surrounded bodyboarding. Through concert events featuring local artists, he's reconnecting the sport with the vibrant community atmosphere that made bodyboarding not just a sport, but a lifestyle in Hawaii.

Ready to catch this wave of bodyboarding revival? Follow @SoStokedBoogieSeries to stay updated on upcoming events, competitions, and how you can support this remarkable resurgence of Hawaii's water culture. Join us at Jolene's Bar and Grill at Kaneohe Bayview Golf Course on Friday, August 11th, for live music featuring Bengali from Innavision, Brotherhood, One Session, and Poi Bo. Tickets available on Eventbrite for $20, or $30 at the door.