WAIKIKI — Bear Woznick likes to joke that he gets paid to pick up women.

As a professional tandem surfer, Woznick has lifted, cradled and spun hundreds of women — all while carving waves on his tandem surfboard.

To him, there's nothing like it.

"When you tandem, there's this ancient connection to our DNA as humans," said Woznick, 53, co-founder of the International Tandem Surfing Association and ranked third on the World Tandem Tour. "It takes the visceral and best parts of a man and a woman — his need to lift and protect, her trust and beauty — and puts that on a surfboard. That's tandem surfing."

Woznick, and his partner, Krystl Apeles, will be among a dozen teams from around the world competing in the ITSA's World Title of Tandem Surfing starting Thursday at Kuhio Beach.

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

Tandem surfing is a sub-genre of the sport involving partners of the opposite sex riding the same board. One hoists the other into a series of acrobatic lifts and poses.

Tandem surfing was born in the rolling waves of Waikiki in the 1920s and quietly grew into a competitive sport around the world. Though it saw a decline in participation in the '60s, tandem surfing is making a comeback of sorts, gaining popularity in Hawai'i, California, Australia and across Europe.

Today, the sport is highly athletic, combining style and 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.

This week's contest will feature the world's best, including Makaha's Brian Keaulana and Kathy Terada, the reigning world champions.

It will also showcase the range of ages of these competitors, from 19-year-old Sarah Burel of France to 53-year-old Blanche Benson Yoshida of O'ahu.

Many of the women who compete have a background in dance, gymnastics or cheerleading.

Apeles, Woznick's partner, has all three.

She just didn't surf.

When she tried out for the cheerleading squad at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa last year, her stunt partner recommended she try tandem surfing. She met Woznick in October and they've been partners ever since.

"We have harmony," said Apeles, 20, of Lihu'e, Kaua'i. "I can trust him, he knows what he's doing. And I bring balance and performance."

They try to practice every day, stretching and working on lifts and poses on the beach before paddling out.

Last Friday they demonstrated a few of their more technical poses — the arrow, cobra and the one-arm Kennedy — on Kuhio Beach, with tourists and surfers stopping to watch.

Even another team from France came over to get tips from Woznick and Apeles.

And they didn't hesitate to help — or cheer on their competitors.

After all, they share the same passion: to see this traditional sport make a comeback.

"I'm thrilled," Woznick said, smiling. "That's all I could ever want."

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