The world's top tandem surfing teams will compete in the sport's birthplace — Waikiki — in August.

The International Tandem Surfing Association is holding its World Title of Tandem Surfing, presented by Tsunami's Waikiki, from Aug. 23 to 25 at Kuhio Beach.

The event is part of the sixth annual Duke's OceanFest.

Tandem surfing began at Waikiki in the 1920s, back in the days when Duke Kahanamoku and other Waikiki beachboys would take out young women who wanted to learn to surf. They found it easier to manage the surfboard and the weight of two by hoisting the women up on their shoulders to ride, and the sport of tandem surfing emerged.

Today, the sport is highly athletic, combining style with skill. Teams consist of a male and female, with the latter being lifted into various poses while the former maneuvers the board and rides the wave.

"We are stoked to have the best teams in the world back here in Waikiki, the birthplace of modern tandem," said Bear Woznick, co-founder of the ITSA and ranked third on the World Tandem Tour. "Twice as many teams surf in this elite sport today than did 18 months ago when Rico Leroy and I first called for last year's world title.

"Tandem surfing stuns everyone who sees it, whether they surf or not. It's big, it's visual, it's daring and it's beautiful."

The World Title of Tandem Surfing will feature a mix of youth and experience, and traditional hoists and contemporary styles. Surfers competing in the World Title of Tandem Surfing range in age from 19 years (Sarah Burel, France, who partners with Rico Leroy), to 54 years (Blanche Benson, Hawai'i, who will partner with David Vierra). In all, a dozen teams from Hawai'i, France, Australia, Brazil, Florida and California will compete, including defending world tandem champions Brian Keaulana and Kathy Terada of Makaha.

Along with the competition, there will also be tandem clinics, open to the public, from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 22 through 25 at Waikiki Beach.

Evening events will include autograph sessions as well as a Hall of Fame party at Tsunami's Waikiki (7 p.m. Aug. 23); a lu'au (Aug. 24); and an awards ceremony and tandem surfing movie at Sunset on the Beach (7 p.m., Aug. 25).

For more information visit www.dukefoundation.org.

Read Catherine's blog, The Daily Dish, at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com.

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.