Geodee Clark was in third grade in 1997 when she won the junior pee-wee division of the first China Uemura's Wahine Surfing Classic.

Like the contest itself, Clark is all grown up now.

Yesterday, she advanced to the finals of the pro-am division of China Uemura's 10th annual Wahine Surfing Classic at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki.

"I've done every one, so I guess I'm a veteran," said Clark, who is 17 and graduated from Kamehameha Schools last week. "I can't believe it's been 10 already. It just flies by."

The contest has been running for a decade on two primary sources: girl power and the Uemura family.

The two-day event is for females only, and 162 of them are entered this year. Preliminary heats were staged yesterday, and the finals in the various age divisions will run today.

"I started this contest because I wanted to give the girls and women more of a chance," Uemura said. "Most of the contests out there are for men. I wanted to give more girls a chance to experience what it's like to make the finals and win a contest."

Uemura, 51, is a former longboard surfing national champion. His reputation as a surfing ambassador grows with each new entry in the Wahine Classic.

"I love seeing the kids grow up in this contest," he said. "That's why I'm in this for the long duration. Even after I pass away, my own wife and kids are going to continue running this."

Uemura's wife, Fran, his son Kekoa and daughter Kanoelani help run the contest. There are also dozens of volunteers — friends he made through his years of surfing connections.

And not one of them makes a single cent.

Each year, Uemura donates the profits to The Sex Abuse Treatment Center of Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children. Most years, between $7,000 and $10,000 is donated.

"That's the other thing that keeps me going," Uemura said. "I keep in mind that this is all for charity."

Dozens of companies donate money and prizes to keep the contest going. This year, Rip Curl and 88 Tees are the title sponsors.

"I was fortunate enough to meet a lot of people when I was surfing around the world," Uemura said. "And now all these companies are helping me out."

Surfing karma seems to reward the contest every year, and yesterday was no exception. Wave heights, when measured the traditional way, ranged from 2 to 4 feet yesterday.

"I look forward to this contest every year because it seems like there's always (good) waves," Clark said. "And there's so much camaraderie. It's just a fun atmosphere."

Kelli Frye of McCully has entered every Wahine Classic since 2000.

"There are so many more girls surfing now than there was 10 years ago," said Frye, 26. "A contest like this really nurtures girls who want to get recognized and possibly go on to the pro level."

One of those potential future pros is 13-year-old Kelia Moniz. She advanced to the final of the pro-am division yesterday.

She also competed in her age group for longboard surfing, shortboard surfing and bodyboarding. By the end of the day, Moniz surfed in six separate heats and may have to do it again today if she keeps advancing.

"This contest is special because it is an all-girls thing," said her mother, Tammy Moniz. "I think a lot of the girls are more geared to taking a chance in this one."

It also offers a rare opportunity for a few of the elite surfers to make some money. A prize purse of $2,200 will be awarded in the pro-am division, including $1,000 to the winner.

Surfers advancing to the pro-am final were Clark, Frye, Moniz and Megan Godinez. The winner will be announced today.

"To get paid for something you love to do, you can't beat that," Frye said. "It's not too often you can pay some bills for surfing."

In keeping with the Wahine Classic tradition, live music is played throughout the day. What's more, surfers who don't make today's finals can still win prizes through random drawings.

"Just to go out and surf with the other girls is rewarding enough," Clark said. "But with this contest, you can hang out all day and just have fun. There's no other contest like this."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.