Ku Ikaika - On Alert

[Admin]

(Makaha, HI) - February 22, 2010 --- Another round of extra-large winter swell is developing under the watchful eye of organizers of the Quiksilver Ku Ikaika Challenge, presented by C4 Waterman, and competitors have been put "on alert" for this Thursday, February 25. The Ku Ikaika Challenge is a one-day, big wave stand-up paddle invitational surfing competition, held at Makaha Point on the West Side of Oahu, Hawaii. The event has until Sunday evening, February 28, to run before the 2010 holding period draws to a close.

A succession of major swells are forecast to cross paths with the Hawaiian Islands this week and should be from an ideal direction for Makaha. The first swell, scheduled to peak tomorrow, is expected to deliver wave face heights of around 15-18 feet. Thursday's swell is forecast to notch up even further and is the primary focus of attention for the Ku Ikaika Challenge. A third system, while still somewhat of an unknown quantity, is unfolding for Saturday and will also be closely monitored.

For Quiksilver's own Jamie Mitchell, a few more lay days are exactly what he needs if he is to recover from a perforated eardrum in time to compete. Mitchell was warming up on a mellow day at Makaha two weeks ago when a freak wipeout on a three-foot wave forced him out of the water.

"It was one of the smallest waves I rode that day," said Mitchell. "I just landed weird and kind of slapped the side of my head on the water."
 
The 2010 list of invitees and wildcards to the Quiksilver Ku Ikaika Challenge, presented by C4 Waterman, features a mix of legendary and rising SUP experts that includes defending champion Aaron Napoleon, Jamie Mitchell (Australia), Raimana Van Bastolaer (Tahiti), Ibon Amatriain (Euskadi), Robby Naish (Hawaii), and Gerry Lopez (Hawaii).

The Ku Ikaika Challenge will offer a total prize purse of $10,000, with $3,000 going to the winner. The main event will consist of 30 invited surfers plus six wildcards. (Listed below.)

"Ku Ikaika", a Hawaiian phrase that means "stand strong", was derived in reference to the sport of stand up paddle surfing and to upholding a healthy and positive approach to wave riding.


INVITEES:
Aaron Napoleon (HAW)
Antoine Delpero (FRA)
Alex Salazar (BRZ)
Didier Tin Hing (TAH)
Archie Kalepa (HAW)
Bonga Perkins (HAW)
Brian Keaulana (HAW)
Chuck Patterson (USA)
Craig Davidson (HAW)
Dave Kalama (HAW)
Dave Parmenter (HAW)
Duane DeSoto (HAW)
Gerry Lopez (HAW)
Greg Carson (PR)
Greg Pavao (HAW)
Ikaika Kalama (HAW)
Ibon Amatriain (EUS)
James Watson (AUS)
Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
Kamu Auwae (HAW)
Kekoa Auwae (HAW)
Keone Keaulana (HAW)
Leleo Kinimaka (HAW)
Mel Puu (HAW)
Noland Martin (HAW)
Raimana Van Bastolaer (TAH)
Robby Naish (HAW)
Rusty Keaulana (HAW)
Titius Kinimaka (HAW)
Todd Bradley (HAW)
WILDCARDS:
Kawika Foster (HAW)
Keone Downing (HAW)
Kainoa McGee (HAW)
Ekolu Kalama (HAW)
Buzzy Kerbox (HAW)
Kala Alexander (HAW)

[Evan Lloyd]

Is this event strictly an invitational, or are there going to be some "Open" heats as well?  It's always nice to see an unknown guy get into the main event.

Evan

[jdmotes]

 I was wondering about the same thing, Evan... I have a good friend who is over there right now on a sup trip vacation and thought how great it would be if he could get a slot (Hi TDE).  All but a few names on that list were Hawaiian...    Later,   JD

[acqua.marina]

Sooooo, Chuck Patterson is the only guy from the "USA"? Wow, the Americans suck!

[HaleiwaBill]

I sure hope they run it, it would be a fitting exclamation point to what as already been an epic El Nino winter. Hopefully, the swell and winds will cooperate, we shall see. If it goes I am there!

Is this event strictly an invitational, or are there going to be some "Open" heats as well?  It's always nice to see an unknown guy get into the main event.

Evan

Yes, it is an invitational. Much like the Eddie, the Ku Ikaika is a specialty one day event comprised of invited surfers who have proven themselves in big  waves.  They did run a TRIALS portion before the main event when they ran the inaugural Ku Ikaika in 2008, so I asked Jody Wilmott about that when I spoke to her a few minutes ago. She is going to clarification for us, but basically said a trials portion could happen again, but that may depend on what kind of  swell window they will have to work with on the day of the contest. If it does happen, those spots would likely go other local proven big wave surfers.
 

[southwesterly]

I always thought (HAW) was part of (USA),
but i guess that doesn't apply at Makaha and the westside.

[Easy Rider]

I always thought (HAW) was part of (USA),
but i guess that doesn't apply at Makaha and the westside.

Just guessing that it has to do with the "joining of the Union" that the native Hawaiian people weren't really so keen on. 

[HaleiwaBill]

I always thought (HAW) was part of (USA),
but i guess that doesn't apply at Makaha and the westside.

It has been this way forever and is nothing new or unique for Makaha or this contest. Ever since the inception of professional surfing the IPS (international professional surfing) and then ASP (association of Surfing Professionals) they have differentiated Hawaii surfers from mainland USA surfers.


ASP link
http://www.aspworldtour.com/2010/ratings.asp?rRat=menwct&rNav=Men

[diesel]

Event on today or maybe tomorrow?

[Chan]

Sounds like tomorrow or Saturday.   Could be epic.   

[diesel]

Seems that tomorrow could be real good at Makaha. Medium trades for nice offshore winds.

[Nate Burgoyne]

One day extension granted for Monday:
http://www.supsurfmag.com/features-stand-up-paddle/news/march-1st-extension-could-see-ku-ikaika-%22go%22-%11-big-wave-stand-up-paddle-20100225906/

[HaleiwaBill]

You beat me to it Nate!.......lol

Nate and I were are just talking about that this morning, what a bummer it would be if the best swell hits one day after the waiting period ends on Sunday. Tomorrow is going to be big (8-10 Hawaiian) on the west side, but that is still marginal for the size waves they are looking for. However, Monday is supposed to be quite a bit bigger in the 10-15 Hawaiian (15-25 faces) scale. Cant wait!!!!!

[Chan]

Fingers crossed for Monday.


By Jodi Wilmott (Makaha, HI) - February 25, 2010 --- An official one-day extension to include March 1st has been applied to the holding period of the third annual Quiksilver Ku Ikaika Challenge, presented by C4 Waterman. Competitors are asked to be on standby as organizers follow the developments of this final system that is forecast to deliver waves in the extra-large to giant category for the Hawaiian Islands on Monday - exactly what the event requires to "go".

The decision to extend the official holding period by just one day was made yesterday as the intensity of this latest storm developed. It is highly unusual for extensions to be made, but with what could be the Makaha swell of the winter just hours outside of the original shut-off date of February 28, organizers of the Quiksilver Ku Ikaika Challenge have faith that the call may pay off.

[diesel]

I think the contest is on today.  The website said they were set to start this morning.  12 ft and super windy offshores.  Hopefully we get some pics or video.