Quiksilver Ku Ikaika C4 Holding Period Starts Tomorrow

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Quiksilver Ku Ikaika C4
THE QUIKSILVER KU IKAIKA CHALLENGE
Sponsored by C4 Waterman

 
HOLDING PERIOD BEGINS TOMORROW JANUARY 15

(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.

aaron-napoleon_2008_quicksilver.jpg Above: 2008 Quiksilver/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 or 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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