Brian Keaulana : photo Allen Mozo

QuiksilverEdition Ku Ikaika Challenge
Presented by C4 Waterman & Red Bull

Makaha Point West Side Oahu
15 January - 29 February 2008

BIG-WAVE STAND UP PADDLE SURFING EVENT on STANDBY FOR POSSIBLE START MON/TUES

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 February, 2008 : - - Honolulu - A return to typical winter surf patterns in Hawaii will produce large to extra large surf in the coming days, placing the one-day QuiksilverEdition Ku Ikaika Challenge, presented by C4 Waterman and Red Bull, on standby to run as early as next Monday, February 11.

This event is the world's first big-wave stand up paddle surfing competition and will take place at Makaha, on the West Side of Oahu, on one day when wave face heights reach approximately 20 feet.

Event organizers are looking at a swell early next week that could present itself as soon as Monday morning with waves at Makaha expected to meet the required height of 20-foot faces. This swell may not actually peak until Tuesday, so both days are under watch. Not only is the forecast for loads more swell than Hawaii has experienced in recent weeks, but a call for lighter tradewinds promises excellent wave quality.
 
Low pressure systems from the north-west are dropping down closer to the Hawaiian Island chain. Today, the first of the swells from the WNW is delivering Hawaiian scale wave heights of 8-12 feet (translating to wave face heights up to 20 feet). The added westerly component is tempering wave heights on Oahu, particularly for the western shore, given the shadowing effect of the island of Kauai, which lies WNW of Oahu.
 
Into next week, estimates are for 12-15 feet Hawaiian scale surf, or wave face heights between 20 and 30 feet. The first swell, on Monday/Tuesday, will likely be out of the north-west, so less shadowing and therefore larger surf shared more equally between northern and western shores of Oahu. This swell holds much promise for the QuiksilverEdition Ku Ikaika Challenge. Updates at the end of the week should be able to  predict swell heights with good confidence.
 
Beyond next Tuesday, look for another episode towards the end of the week. The QuiksilverEdition Ku Ikaika Challenge, has until February 29, 2008, to run. Updates will be issued as the surf unfolds.

THE EVENT:
A benefit for the Junior Lifeguard Foundation on the West Side.

DATE:
January 15 to February 29, 2008.
To be held on the day when wave face heights reach 20 feet.

VENUE:
Makaha Point, West Side Oahu, Hawaii.

FORMAT:
32-man format featuring the world's top stand-up paddle surfers (24 invitees and 8 trialists from a 16-man trials division to be held on the same day).

PRIZE MONEY:
$4,000 donation to the West Side's Junior Lifeguard Foundation will carry the event winner's name. Surfers will share equally in $11,200 prize money ($350 each).

INVITEES:
Archie Kalepa
Bonga Perkins
Brian Keaulana
Bruce "Cito" DeSoto
Craig Davidson
Dave Kalama
Dave Parmenter
Duane DeSoto
Ikaika Kalama
Jamie Mitchell
Jamie Sterling
Kamaki Worthington
Kelly Slater
Lance Hookano
Leleo Kinimaka
Luke Egan
Mel Puu
Raimana Van Bastolaer
Rob Machado
Robby Naish
Rusty Keaulana
Titus Kinimaka
Tom Carroll
Vetea "Poto" David

16 TRIALISTS:
Buzzy Kerbox
Chris Mauro
Chuck Patterson
Derek Doerner
Ekolu Kalama
Garrett McNamara
Kainoa McGee
Kalani Vierra
Keone Downing
Keone Keaulana
Kyle Mocaizuki
Noah Johnson
Nolan Keaulana
Tiare Lawrence
Todd Bradley
Tony Moniz

About QuiksilverEdition:
QuiksilverEdition's commitment to stand-up paddle surfing is multi-layered involving event sponsorship, athlete development and design & innovation. Some of the planned events include SUP clinics in Florida and the Great lakes, open event fundraisers in Laguna Beach and Long Island, NY and The QuiksilverEdition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race. QuiksilverEdition has assembled some of the top stand-up paddle surfers in the world including Bonga Perkins & Jamie Mitchell.

QuikSilverEdition, a division of Quiksilver Inc, is inspired by the waterman lifestyle. Whether surfing, paddling, canoeing or just spending quality time with family or friends talking story, QuikSilverEdition is a great looking, comfortable and stylish compliment to the best moment of our lives. QuikSilverEdition is a premium sportswear brand built for the man who is looking for a more refined alternative to today's youth-driven surf companies. It is an authentic brand that embodies the rich heritage of Quiksilver's legendary wave and mountain culture.

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.

Previous reports:
# 1 : QuiksilverEdition Ku Ikaika Challenge wait period starts
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

www.c4waterman.com
www.quiksilveredition.com

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