WAIMEA, O‘ahu — The announcement of the 28 coveted Invitees and 24 Alternates to this year’s 25th Anniversary celebration of The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy, was made Tuesday by the Association of Surfing Professionals.

The ASP sanctioned event will be held on one day, between Dec. 1 and Feb. 28, 2010, when waves exceed the 20-foot minimum. Invitees will contend for the $98,000 prize purse, the company said in a press release.

The traditional opening ceremony honoring this silver anniversary will be one to remember, taking place at 2 p.m., Dec. 3 at Waimea Bay, O‘ahu.

Monster Energy will be presenting the Monster Drop Specialty Award for the surfer who makes the most critical drop and rides out of it during the event. The judges will determine the winner the day of the competition.

Held in honor of the legendary Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau, The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau gathers the most skillful and dynamic big-wave surfers from around the globe. It is the world’s longest running and most prestigious big-wave invitational.

The universal appeal and strength of “The Eddie” is a testament to the human spirit it honors and that so many seek to connect with: a life lived with passion, dedicated with meaning, and exited from heroically. Just 31 when he lost his life in an attempt to save others, Aikau has physically been gone now for as long as he was here. But far from being forgotten, his life story is now woven into the fabric of Hawai‘i.

The Eddie has only run seven times in the past 24 years. It should not be missed when the Bay calls the momentous day. Go to Quiksilver.com/Eddie for swell updates, happenings from the North Shore, and to sign up for text alerts, to make sure you’re the first to know when the Bay calls the day.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com.

INVITEES

Andy Irons, Hawai‘i

Brian Keaulana, Hawai‘i

Brock Little, Hawai‘i

Bruce Irons, Hawai‘i

Carlos Burle, Brazil

Clyde Aikau, Hawai‘i

Darryl Virostko, California

Greg Long, California

Jamie O’Brien, Hawai‘i

Jamie Sterling, Hawai‘i

Kelly Slater, Florida

Keone Downing, Hawai‘i

Makuakai Rothman, Hawai‘i

Mark Healey, Hawai‘i

Michael Ho, Hawai‘i

Noah Johnson, Hawai‘i

Peter Mel, California

Reef McIntosh, Hawai‘i

Ross Clarke-Jones, Australia

Rusty Keaulana, Hawai‘i

Shane Dorian, Hawai‘i

Sunny Garcia, Hawai‘i

Titus Kinimaka, Hawai‘i

Tom Carroll, Australia

Grant “Twiggy” Baker,

South Africa

Ibon Amatriain, Euskadi

Ramon Navarro, Chile

Takayuki Wakita, Japan

ALTERNATES

Kala Alexander, Hawai‘i – Aikau Family Pick

Pancho Sullivan, Hawai‘i

Garrett McNamara, Hawai‘i

Kohl Christensen, Hawai‘i

Dave Wassel, Hawai‘i

Keoni Watson, Hawai‘i

Nathan Fletcher, Hawai‘i

Ian Walsh, Hawai‘i

Danny Fuller, Hawai‘i

Kalani Chapman, Hawai‘i

Taylor Knox, California

Chava Greenlee, Hawai‘i

Jamie Mitchell, Australia

Myles Padaca, Hawai‘i

Tony Moniz, Hawai‘i

Darrick Doerner, Hawai‘i

Ken “Skin Dog” Collins,

California

Ross Williams, Hawai‘i

Derek Ho, Hawai‘i

Paul Paterson, Australia

Anthony Tashnick, California

Koby Abberton, Australia

Laurent Pujol, France

Laurie Towner, Australia

HONORARY INVITEES

Mark Foo, Hawai‘i

Todd Chesser, Hawai‘i

Tiger Espere, Hawai‘i

Jay Moriarty, California

Peter Davi, California

Lester Falatea, Tahiti