One competitor called it "the X-Games of the Pacific."

Another described it as "the Olympics for watermen."

But, really, there is only one word to best describe Buffalo's Big Board Surfing Classic.

Fun.

"You can be a skinny world champ in the best shape, or you can be a fat old man, out of shape. Whatever you are, you can come out and have fun at this contest," said Buffalo Keaulana, the contest's namesake.

Keaulana started the contest in 1977 as a way to unite the Leeward Coast community. It has been held at Makaha Beach every year since, and international coasts are being united at this year's 31st annual version of the contest.

Surfers from Japan, Brazil and Australia joined the Hawai'i competitors in the Makaha waves yesterday.

"In Japan, I would say the Pipeline Masters and Eddie Aikau contest are the most famous for surfing. Right after that is Buffalo's contest," said Japanese competitor Tosh Omi, who has been entering Buffalo's event since the mid-1980s.

Japan brought the largest international contingent, with more than 30 competitors.

"You never see this kind of contest in Japan," said Taku Araki, who is a lifeguard and top-ranked paddler in Japan. "We bring the film back with us and everybody gets excited."

Buffalo's Big Board Surfing Classic got its name because Keaulana originally wanted to make it a longboard contest — with all boards at least 10 feet long.

Over the years, numerous divisions have been added.

This year, there are divisions for longboard surfing, bullyboarding (which is an oversized bodyboard), tandem surfing, stand-up paddle surfing, team bodysurfing, and canoe surfing.

Among the recognizable names in the contest this year: Mike Judd and John Foti from the Lanikai Canoe Club, former longboard surfing world champions Bonga Perkins and Rusty Keaulana, former bodyboarding world champion Mike Stewart, big-wave surfer Makua Rothman, and paddleboarding world champion Jamie Mitchell.

"This is like the Olympics for watermen," said Brian Keaulana, who is Buffalo's oldest son. "You see guys doing silly stuff on the wave and they make it look easy, but it's really kind of hard."

Brian Keaulana is annually one of the most active competitors. This year, he is entered in 11 different divisions.

"There's definitely bragging rights involved," he said. "But this is more about fun and keeping the family tradition going."

The canoe surfing division has become quite popular in recent years, because it offers a rare chance for paddlers to ride the Makaha waves in a canoe.

"This is like the X-Games of the Pacific," said Judd, who was part of Lanikai's Moloka'i Hoe championship crew in 2004 and '05. "And this is one of the best waves in the world for canoe surfing, if not the best."

Mitchell, who is the five-time defending Moloka'i to O'ahu paddleboarding champion, is entering Buffalo's contest for the first time this year. He is part of the Australian contingent.

"I've heard about this contest ever since I was a kid," Mitchell said. "And I feel like I'm a kid again here. I did paipo boarding for the first time ever. I did bullyboarding for the first time. It's like learning how to ride a new bike."

Buffalo Keaulana, who is 72, said the contest will "go on forever" through his five children and 10 grandchildren.

Most years, Buffalo will open the contest by catching the first wave. This year, he let his grandchildren ride the opening waves.

Brian Keaulana said: "This contest is not like any other in the world when you look at all the different boards and toys we use. But it's also about sharing and passing that knowledge to the future generations."

The contest is expected to run its final day today.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.