Officials for the Ku Ikaika Challenge have elected to wait for the larger swell forecast for tomorrow to run the event. They originally gave the go-ahead for yesterday but the swell fell short of the 20-foot wave face requirement. The
Officials for the Ku Ikaika Challenge have elected to wait for the larger swell forecast for tomorrow to run the event.
They originally gave the go-ahead for yesterday but the swell fell short of the 20-foot wave face requirement. The big-wave surfers, however, are assembled and, according to a release, are satisfied with the decision to hold on for tomorrow.
A 6:30 a.m. announcement will be placed on the hotline tomorrow morning.
Competitors have come from California, Australia, Tahiti and Hawai‘i for this event — the world’s first big-wave international stand-up paddle surfing competition.
The challenge, held at Makaha Point on the Westside of O‘ahu, will benefit the Junior Lifeguard Foundation on the Westside. A $4,000 donation to the foundation will carry the event winner’s name on the check.
The surfers will share equally in the $11,200 in prize money.
Among those invited to compete are Dave Kalama, Kelly Slater, Titus Kinimaka and Rob Machado.
Kaua‘i’s Kalani Vierra was invited as a trialist.
