The Eddie probably on for Mon, Tue or Wed (if you hate commercialism, do not click here)
Neal Miyake
Pat's Forecast: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/SRF.php
Wetsand: http://www.wetsandsurfshop.com/swellwatch/swellwatch.asp?CatId=839
WaveWatch: http://www.lajollasurf.org/nwpa.html
Might be too big; winds will come into play; today (Sat) will be a
warmup.
neo
Press release from Jodi Wilmott:
Waimea Bay, HAWAII, December 4, 2009 --- In statements fitting of the
25th anniversary of The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by
Monster Energy, Contest Director George Downing and Aikau's brother
Clyde stunned the gathered audience today when they announced that the
event would run within the week. All forecasts point towards one of
the largest swells to hit Hawaii in decades. The Quiksilver In Memory
of Eddie Aikau is an ASP specialty sanctioned event.
"Seven, eight or nine," said Downing to an initially bewildered crowd.
"It's gonna happen one of those days." Downing was referring to
Monday, December 7, or Tuesday the 8th or Wednesday the 9th.
Today's ceremony was an overwhelming tribute, complete with the
original Hokule'a voyaging canoe in Waimea Bay in the midst of a 15-
to 18-foot swell. The Hokule'a is a symbol of great Hawaiian pride; a
traditional double-hulled vessel that represents the original
Polynesian voyage to the Hawaiian islands. It is also the same boat
from which Aikau paddled for assistance in 1978, never to be seen
again. Hokule'a had capsized in heavy seas in the Moloka'i Channel,
injuring crew, en-route to Tahiti.
Clyde Aikau, winner of the 1987 Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau,
today led the paddle-out of this year's official Invitees and
Alternates. Instead of gracing the lineup as they usually do, they
circled the Hokule'a and paid respects to Aikau, joined by some of
Eddie's original crewmates on the vessel he loved so dearly.
"Hokule'a and Eddie were all about perpetuating the Hawaiian spirit,"
said Kahu Billy Mitchell. "The Hokule'a keeps our culture alive, and
Eddie reminds us how."
Clyde is ready to ride on what he expects to be the swell of a
lifetime: "Knowing that it's probably gonna go, 90%, Monday or
Tuesday, everybody's real jacked, including yours truly. I really
think it's going to be a big one, probably the biggest waves ever for
the event. I've surfed all the big waves that have come through here -
'74, '69, and this one on Monday or Tuesday should be even bigger than
that. If you're not 101% gas for the day, let somebody else surf."
Hawaii's Mark Healey spoke for a psyched up younger crew of Invitees
who are amping to surf The Bay. For many it will be their first time.
The last time the event ran was in December 2004.
"I've been surfing the Bay big since I was 17," said Healey, "Right
now, my group of friends who ride big waves that are in this event,
they're really good at forecasting, guys like Greg long have never
been wrong and don't usually go out on a limb on things, but he's like
'it's on I'm coming over.' It's an emotional rollercoaster. I see the
big storm on the charts on the internet."
Surfers ended the day by collecting their silver memorial Big Wave
board trophies and were gifted with custom one-of-a-kind 25th
Anniversary Eddie Aikau Diamond Dobby Deluxe™ competitor
boardshorts. Sign up for mobile text alerts to know which day The
Eddie will go at quiksilver.com/Eddie.
he Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy, will
take place on one day when waves exceed the 20-foot minimum threshold
and Invitees contend for the $98K prize purse and Monster Drop award.
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 and will present the chosen surfer with a unique Monster
Drop Specialty Award Trophy.
Held in honor of the legendary Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau, The
Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy, 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 and is the only one sanctioned by the Association of
Surfing Professionals (ASP), the governing body of professional
surfing.
The universal appeal and strength of "The Eddie" is a testament to the
human spirit it honors and that we all 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 Hawaii.
The Eddie has only run seven times in the past 24 years. You don't
want to miss it 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!
To view the list of Invitees and Alternates to this year's event,
click here.
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 Monster Energy
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it big wave surfing, insane
distance jumping, MX, rally, SX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-
road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, snow, BMX -
name it - the athletes are rockin' Monster Energy more than anything
these days. Check out all the types - Original Monster Energy, Monster
Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, Monster's fruit juice hybrid
dubbed "M-80," the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java
Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our
Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy "Hitman"
energy shot. On the 'Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com.