In something that seems like it should have started a long time ago, Hawaii will hold the state’s first official high school surfing meet, as reported by the HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN.

Contest officials, coaches and students, some who have been pushing for years to have the Department of Education embrace the sport, say surfing should get the recognition it deserves in a state known for its world-class waves and beaches.

“This is the birthplace of surfing,” said Dennis Kumagai, director of Hawaii Surfing Productions, an amateur association created to run the three high school events this season. “It’s pretty exciting to see this happen.”

Seriously, how do you not have a state-sanctioned surfing community in Hawaii? That’s like having no basketball in Indiana, or no whatever sport it is they play in Canada