Local surf shop Nikau Kai, along with Eco by Ry, will host the 8th annual SUP Squatch Invitational starting at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, on the north side of the Manhattan Beach Pier.

What's a SUP Squatch? It's a giant (16 feet by 6 feet) inflatable stand up paddleboard that can hold a crew of people (or not!). The "competition" is ostensibly to see who can pull the "sickest" maneuvers, but honestly, the real challenge is just to stay on board.

Nikau Kai owner/founder Jason Shanks has described the SUP Squatch event as "carnage on almost every wave, but smiles on every face."

All are welcome; if you're brave, you can volunteer to try your luck on the waves.