Blue corduroy : photo Brian Bielmann

Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau

ASP Specialty Event
Waimea Bay Oahu, Hawaii
1 December 2007 - 28 February 2008

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BIG WAVES BOUNCE BACK TO LIFE IN THE PACIFIC

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 13 February, 2008 : - - Waimea Bay - With just 17 days of the three-month holding period for the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational In Memory of Eddie Aikau remaining, the Pacific Ocean is bouncing back to life. A final flurry of big-wave action has begun to pulse through the Hawaiian Island chain with waves to approach giant heights later this week.

The Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational is staged each winter at Waimea Bay, on Oahu's North Shore, and only runs when and if wave heights reach a minimum of 20 feet on the Hawaiian wave scale (40-foot wave face heights). The event is held in honor of big-wave rider and Waimea Bay lifeguard Eddie Aikau.

Taking a radical shift from what has been the worst winter on record for waves in Hawaii, the tail end of February looks like being above average by comparison to other La Nina years.

Thursday's swell is forecast to reach 15 to 18-feet Hawaiian scale (wave face heights of 30-36 feet), still just a notch under "The Eddie" requirement of 20 feet Hawaiian (approximately 40-foot faces). If nothing else, it will be an exceptional warm-up day for big-wave riders, given ideal easterly winds that will fan Waimea Bay to offshore perfection.

Moving beyond Thursday's swell, wave forecasters are looking at regular big-wave episodes every two to three days. Each will be closely monitored for Quiksilver Big Wave potential. In the event that the right size swell is generated, 28 of the world's best big wave riders will make the journey to Waimea Bay's hallowed ground and ride the giant surf with the same spirit as Aikau. Check www.quiksilver.com for updates.

The Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau is the longest-standing big wave event in the world, held each winter in honor of pioneering big-wave rider and Waimea Bay's first lifeguard, Eddie Aikau. Aikau, an indigenous Hawaiian, was one of the top big-wave and professional surfers in the world when he tragically went missing at sea in 1978, during a voyage to Tahiti aboard the Hokule'a sailing canoe. 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. Its 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.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Invite list up for Quiksilver Big Wave in Memory of Eddie
# 2 : Quiksilver Big Wave Eddie opening ceremony is on today
# 3 : Quiksilver Big Wave Eddie Aikau holding period kicks off
# 4 : Quiksilver airs Big Wave Eddie Aikau opening ceremony 

# 5 : World's elite wait on La Nina for Quiksilver Big Wave Inv.
# 6 : Quiksilver Big Wave in Memory of Eddie Aikau eyes swell
# 7 : Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Invit'l on high alert to run Sunday
# 8 : Quiksilver Big Wave in Memory of Eddie Aikau is a no-go

www.quiksilver.com
www.quiksilver.com/bigwave

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