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HOLDING PERIOD BEGINS TOMORROW JANUARY 15TH
 (Huntington Beach, CA) January 14, 2009 --- Quiksilver is pleased to announce that the holding period for the second annual Quiksilver Premium Ku Ikaika Challenge, sponsored by C4 Waterman, will commence tomorrow, January 15, through February 28, 2009. It is possible that the event will run immediately, given the current long-range forecast for large to extra-large surf that will coincide with the onset of the holding period.
Above: 2008 Quicksilver/C4 Waterman Ku Ikaika Champion Aaron Napoleon (Hawaii) Photo: Sarah Towner
The Quiksilver Ku Ikaika Challenge is the world's only big-wave stand-up paddle
surfing competition and invites 32 of the world's leading exponents of the sport
to compete at Makaha Point, on the West Side of Oahu, Hawaii, on a single day
within the holding period when wave face heights reach a minimum of 15 feet. The
inaugural event was staged on Valentine's Day in 2008, and was won by well-known
Hawaiian waterman Aaron Napoleon.
Invitees to this year's event include
Tom Carroll (Australia), Raimana Van Bastolaer (Tahiti), Jamie Mitchell
(Australia), Gerry Lopez (Hawaii), Mel Puu (Hawaii), Brian Keaulana (Hawai), and
Titus Kinimaka (Hawaii).
The Ku Ikaika Challenge will offer a total prize
purse of $10,000, with $2,250 going to the winner, and $250 a piece for second
through 32nd place. The main event will consist of 24 invited surfers plus eight
surfers who advance from a 36-man trialist round.
(Invitees & Trialists
listed below this press release.)
The concept for the event was developed
by C4 Waterman co-founder Brian Keaulana, who wanted to showcase SUP surfing at
the historic venue of Makaha -- home of the very first international surfing
event in 1963 -- while also giving back to the local community. It was embraced
as a natural fit for Quiksilver, a brand built upon adventure, commitment,
endurance and style - key components of SUP surfing and the waterman's
lifestyle.
Stand up paddle surfing first surfaced on the shores of
Waikiki back in the 1940s and '50s. The original Waikiki Beachboys blended their
favorite sports of outrigger canoe paddling and surfing, utilizing a canoe
paddle to both paddle and surf while standing. It was an adaptation made for
convenience as it afforded the Beachboys a better view of the Waikiki surf
lineup where they assisted tourists in learning to surf and took their photos
while doing so.
The sport has enjoyed a rebirth in recent years and has
been given a high-energy, modern-day spin: big-wave riding. Utilizing a paddle
that is today specifically designed for SUP, surfers maintain an upright
position while paddling out to the lineup, paddling into the waves, and then
surfing them to shore. The paddle is not only a tool for navigating the lineup,
but is also critically employed throughout the surfer's maneuvers on the
wave.
For more information on the event and to see photos from last
year's competition, go to www.quiksilver.com/kuikaika
www.c4waterman.com
About Quiksilver
Quiksilver is
committed to providing tools for uncovering, expressing and expanding your
personal style. Our aim 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.
About C4
Waterman:
Founded by Hawaii's Brian Keaulana, Todd Bradley, and Mike
Fox, C4 Waterman brings together over 100 years of ocean experience to create
the C4 Waterman brand of wave-riding tools and equipment. Sharing a passion for
ocean sports, the drive to excel and a desire to share the waterman's spirit, C4
Waterman's state-of-the-art paddles, stand-up boards, paddleboards and
accessories are the modern evolution of the ocean-based lifestyle that
originated in Hawaii.
# # #
INVITEES: (Alphabetical Order)
Kamu
Auwae
Kekoa Auwae
Todd Bradley
Tom Carroll
Craig Davidson
Duane
DeSoto
Ikaika Kalama
Archie Kalepa
Brian Keaulana
Keone Keaulana
Noland
Keaulana
Rusty Keaulana
Leleo Kinimaka
Titus Kinimaka
Gerry Lopez
Jame Mitchell
Robby Naish
Aaron Napoleon
Dave Parmente
Greg Pavao
Bonga Perkins
Mel Puu
Alex Salazar
Raimana Van Bastolaer
TRIALISTS: (Alphabetical Order)
Kamalani
Ahue
Bunky Bakutis
Blane Chambers
Scott Chandler
Bruce
DeSoto
Cito DeSoto
Darrick Doerner
Keone Downing
Stuart
Ferriman
Mike Fox
Lance Hookano
Pat Huber
Reid Inouye
Noah
Johnson
Ekolu Kalama
Buzzy Kerbox
Tiare Lawrence
Vitor
Marcal
Chris Mauro
Kainoa McGee
Garrett McNamara
Tony Moniz
Leo
Nodine
Sam Pai
Chuck Patterson
Skylar Peak
Ned Snow
Jamie
Sterling
Kalani Vierra
Liam Wilmott
Kamaki Worthington
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