HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Quiksilver announced that the holding period for the second annual Quiksilver Premium Ku Ikaika Challenge, sponsored by C4 Waterman, will commence tomorrow, Jan. 15, through Feb. 28. It is possible that the event will run immediately,
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Quiksilver announced that the holding period for the second annual Quiksilver Premium Ku Ikaika Challenge, sponsored by C4 Waterman, will commence tomorrow, Jan. 15, through Feb. 28.
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.
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 Westside of O‘ahu, 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 (Hawai‘i), Mel Puu (Hawai‘i), Brian Keaulana (Hawai‘i), and Titus Kinimaka (Kaua‘i).
The Ku Ikaika Challenge will offer a total prize purse of $10,000, with $2,250 going to the winner, and $250 apiece 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.
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.
Quiksilver Premium
Ku Ikaika Challenge
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
