LIHU‘E — The traditional Opening Ceremony of The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy, will take place on Thursday at Waimea Bay, states a release from Ocean Promotion. All are invited to join the Aikau family,
LIHU‘E — The traditional Opening Ceremony of The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy, will take place on Thursday at Waimea Bay, states a release from Ocean Promotion.
All are invited to join the Aikau family, Quiksilver, and the Invitees and alternates of the 2010 Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, as all will gather to celebrate the life and legacy of Aikau for the 26th year.
Kahu Billy Mitchell will be leading the ceremony, to be followed by a paddle out of the surfers. Over the years, this ceremony has become not only a colorful and cultural tradition, but a global gathering of people from all corners of the Earth who have personally connected with Aikau’s story.
The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau will be held on one day between Dec. 1 and Feb. 28, when waves exceed the 20-foot minimum threshold and invitees contend for the $98,000 prize purse. Monster Energy will be presenting the Monster Drop 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 and will present the chosen surfer with a unique Monster Drop Specialty Award.
The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is the world’s longest running and most prestigious big-wave invitational and is the only one sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the governing body of professional surfing.
Invitees are: Clyde Aikau, Kala Alexander, Tom Carroll, Kohl Christensen, Ross Clarke-Jones, Shane Dorian, Keone Downing, Sunny Garcia, Mark Healey, Michael Ho, Bruce Irons, Noah Johnson, Rusty Keaulana, Brock Little, Greg Long, Reef McIntosh, Garrett McNamara, Peter Mel, Ramon Navarro, Jamie O’Brien, Makuakai Rothman, Kelly Slater, Jamie Sterling, Dave Wassell, Grant Baker, Chris Bertish, Carlos Burle and Takayuki Wakita.
Honorary Invitees are: Donny Solomon, Jay Moriarity, Lester Falatea, Mark Foo, Peter Davi, Tiger Espere, Todd Chesser and Andy Irons.
Alternates are: Kahea Hart (Aikau Pick), Ross Williams, Nathan Fletcher, Mark Mathews, Sion Miloski, Kalani Chapman, Keoni Watson, Anthony Tashnick, Ian Walsh, Koby Abberton, Danny Fuller, Keali‘i Mamala, Ken Collins, Myles Padaca, Laurie Towner, Jamie Mitchell, Paul Patterson, Andrew Marr, Rusty Long, Tony Ray, Derek Ho, Taylor Knox, Tau Hannemann and Manoa Drollet.
