The 2005 Eddie : photo courtesy Quiksilver
Quiksilver In Memory Of Eddie Aikau
QUIKSILVER ANNOUNCES INVITEES FOR 2006/2007 THE QUIKSILVER BIG WAVE INVITATIONAL IN MEMORY OF EDDIE AIKAU
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Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 2 November, 2006 : - - Huntington Beach, California, – One coveted invitation, an indicator of one's status in the elite club of big-wave riders, sends surfers all over the world charging toward their mailboxes to see where they stand. The 2006/2007 invitees for The Quiksilver, Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau, otherwise known as “The Eddie,” have been officially announced.
Scheduled to take place at the hallowed grounds of Waimea Bay, on the North Shore of Oahu, between December 1 and February 28, the Eddie, a one-day event, requires a minimum of 20-foot surf.
The event will officially kick off of November 30 at 3pm with the traditional opening ceremony and luau at Waimea Bay. This moving tribute to legendary waterman Eddie Aikau features a prayer by a Hawaiian kahu, a paddle out circle filled with the invited surfers and all the kalua pig you can eat. Later that night, a benefit concert for the North Shore Land Conservatory will take place with special guest performers (more on that soon.)
On December 1, the contest’s waiting period officially starts and all eyes will be on the satellite weather maps for signs of swells over the 25 foot (Hawaiian scale-mark.)
Created in 1986 to honor the legendary Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau, the event gathers the most skillful and dynamic big-wave surfers from around the world as polled by a collection of influential and experienced watermen. Past winners include Clyde Aikau, Keone Downing, Noah Johnson, Ross Clarke-Jones, Kelly Slater and Bruce Irons. Following is a complete list of invitees and alternates for this year’s event.
INVITEES: (In alphabetical order)
Clyde Aikau (Hawaii)
Ross Clarke-Jones (Australia)
Shane Dorian (Hawaii)
Keone Downing (Hawaii)
Sunny Garcia (Hawaii)
Mark Healey (Hawaii)
Michael Ho (Hawaii)
Andy Irons (Hawaii)
Bruce Irons (Hawaii)
Noah Johnson (Hawaii)
Brian Keaulana (Hawaii)
Rusty Keaulana (Hawaii)
Titus Kinimaka (Hawaii)
Brock Little (Hawaii)
Peter Mel (California)
Jamie O’Brien (Hawaii)
Myles Padaca (Hawaii)
Paul Paterson (Australia)
Tony Ray (Australia)
Makua Rothman (Hawaii)
Kelly Slater (Florida)
Jamie Sterling (Hawaii)
Pancho Sullivan (Hawaii)
Darryl "Flea" Virostko (California)
ALTERNATES: (In seeding order)
1. Darrick Doerner (Hawaii)
2. Taylor Knox (USA)
3. Kalani Chapman (Hawaii)
4. Tony Moniz (Hawaii)
5. Braden Dias (Hawaii)
6. Reef McIntosh (Hawaii)
7. Ross Williams (Hawaii)
8. Tom Carroll (Australia)
9. Keoni Watson (Hawaii)
10. Tamayo Perry (Hawaii)
11. Ian Walsh (Hawaii)
12. Anthony Tashnik
13. Mel Kinney (Hawaii)
14. Derek Ho (Hawaii)
15. Kala Alexander (Hawaii)
16. Chava Greenlee (Hawaii)
17. Tom Curren (California)
18. Ryan Rawson (Hawaii)
19. Dustin Barca (Hawaii)
20. Mike Parsons
21. Dave Wassel (Hawaii)
22. Elijah Young (Hawaii)
23. Danny Fuller (Hawaii)
24. Carlos Burle (Brazil)
Click here for complete profiles on these riders
Location: Waimea Bay, North Shore, Oahu
Opening Ceremony: Thursday, November 30, 2006. 3pm
Event Holding Period: December 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007.
To be held on one day when surf measures at least 20 feet (40 feet faces). The Big-Wave Riders: 24 of the world’s best big-wave riders, including defending champion Bruce Irons (Hawaii), eight-time world champion-elect Kelly Slater (Florida), and Aikau’s younger brother and former champion Clyde Aikau. US$88,000 in prize money, US$55,000 for first place.
FACT SHEET
WHAT
The Quiksilver, Big Wave Invitational In Memory of Eddie Aikau. 22nd Anniversary. Created in 1985 to honor legendary Hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau, this event gathers 24 of the most accomplished paddle-in big wave riders from around the world. The Quiksilver, Big Wave Invitational takes place each winter at the hallowed ground of Waimea Bay, on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, on a single day when open-ocean swells measure a minimum of 20 feet - translating to wave face heights of more than 30 feet.
Champions of this event include 7-time world champ Kelly Slater (Florida), Bruce Irons (Kauai, HI), Ross Clarke-Jones (Australia), and Aikau's younger brother Clyde. No-one has ever won the event twice. Given the strict wave height requirement, the event has only been held a total of seven times in 21 years.
Unlike most of today's big-wave events, The Quiksilver, Big Wave Invitational In Memory of Eddie Aikau remains true to big-wave riding's roots and does not allow the use of Personal Water Craft (jet-ski) to tow riders into waves. Competitors must paddle (as opposed to tow in) themselves into heaving mountains of water, up to six-stories high, under their own arm power, then successfully make the drop and ride out the thundering waves.
Total prize money is US$86,800. First place receives US$55,000, 2nd US$10,000, 3rd US$5,000, 4th US$3,000, 5th US$2,000, 6th US$1,000, and 7th through 24th place each receive US$600.
WHERE
Waimea Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. Just as Hawaii is considered the birth-place of surfing, Waimea Bay stands as the birth-place of big-wave riding. In spite of a half-century of global surf searching, "The Bay" still stands today as one of the world's most challenging big wave venues. Waimea was where Aikau worked as the Bay's first lifeguard, saving countless lives.
Waimea Bay is also hallowed ground for Hawaiians. Atop its northern valley wall lies an ancient 'heiau' (sacred site) that offers a window to ancient Hawaiian times while overlooking the North Shore's most breath-taking view. This heiau was once the site of Hawaiian religious offering, sacrifice and important gatherings.
WHO
Twenty-four surfers will each compete in two rounds during the one day of competition. Depending upon the conditions, competitors will be allowed to ride three or four waves per heat in each round. Their four best scoring waves at the end of two rounds will make up their total. Those invitees will be announced later in the year.
WINNERS LIST
1985 - Denton Miyamura (Hawaii)
1986 - Clyde Aikau (Hawaii) - Eddie Aikau's younger brother
1990 - Keone Downing (Hawaii)
1999 - Noah Johnson (Hawaii)
2000 - Ross Clarke-Jones (Australia)
2002 - Kelly Slater (Florida, USA)
2004 – Bruce Irons (Hawaii, USA)
The complete holding period for this specialty one-day event is December 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007. Competition will take place on just one day, when open ocean swell heights reach the required minimum of 20 feet. Contest director George Downing will make the call. The decision will be based upon long-range ocean and weather forecasts and conditions at hand. If one full day of giant waves with favorable surface conditions does not occur during the designated period, the event will not be held, which means waiting 12 months for the next big wave season to roll around. Over the past 20 years, the event was held six times at Waimea Bay and once at Sunset Beach in the founding year of the event. Hours of competition are from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on contest day.
WEBSITE
Details on the The Quiksilver, Big Wave Invitational In Memory of Eddie Aikau, including photos and event information, are available at quiksilver.com/thequiksilverbigwave or quiksilver.com/bigwave
About Eddie Aikau
Born May 4, 1946, Edward Ryon Aikau was the third of six children to a Hawaiian family. His life became one rooted deep within the ocean - a pioneering lifeguard, passionate big-wave rider, all around waterman and Hawaiian traditionalist. He was lost at sea during an epic voyage in 1978 when the double-hull voyaging canoe Hokule'a capsized in storm seas in the Molokai Channel, en-route to Tahiti. Aikau paddled away in a rescue attempt March 17, 1978. He was never seen again. His life is now legend.
About Quiksilver
Quiksilver, trailblazing guide to boardriding* culture, is committed to providing tools for uncovering, expressing and expanding your personal style. Our mission is to foster the sense of individual expression and excitement - the stoke that is the essence of boardriding. We're also here to spread the word because the only thing better than finding stoke is sharing it.
* Boardriding is about timing and style. It’s youthful, active, casual, and free flowing. There is no wrong way to ride a board. The goal is simply to learn, progress, improve, and give it your own interpretation.
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