THE QUIKSILVER PREMIUM KU IKAIKA CHALLENGE HOLDING PERIOD BEGINS JANUARY 15

(Huntington Beach, CA) January 14, 2009 --- Quiksilver is pleased to announce that the holding period for the second annual Quiksilver Premium Ku Ikaika Challenge, sponsored by C4 Waterman, will commence January 15 through February 28, 2009. 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 Premium 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 West Side of Oahu, Hawaii, 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 (Hawaii), Mel Puu (Hawaii), Brian Keaulana (Hawaii), and Titus Kinimaka (Hawaii).

The Ku Ikaika Challenge will offer a total prize purse of $10,000, with $2,250 going to the winner, and $250 a piece 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.

For more information on the event and to see photos from last year’s competition, go to www.quiksilver.com/kuikaika

INVITEES: (Alphabetical Order)               TRIALISTS: (Alphabetical Order)
Kamu Auwae                                        Kamalani Ahue
Kekoa Auwae                                       Bunky Bakutis
Todd Bradley                                        Blane Chambers
Tom Carroll                                          Scott Chandler
Craig Davidson                                     Bruce DeSoto
Duane DeSoto                                      Cito DeSoto
Ikaika Kalama                                      Darrick Doerner
Archie Kalepa                                        Keone Downing
Brian Keaulana                                      Stuart Ferriman
Keone Keaulana                                    Mike Fox
Noland Keaulana                                   Lance Hookano
Rusty Keaulana                                     Pat Huber
Leleo Kinimaka                                     Reid Inouye
Titus Kinimaka                                      Noah Johnson
Gerry Lopez                                          Ekolu Kalama
Jamie Mitchell                                       Buzzy Kerbox
Robby Naish                                          Tiare Lawrence
Aaron Napoleon                                      Vitor Marcal
Dave Parmente                                      Chris Mauro
Greg Pavao                                           Kainoa McGee
Bonga Perkins                                       Garrett McNamara
Mel Puu                                                Tony Moniz
Alex Salazar                                          Leo Nodine
Raimana Van Bastolaer                          Sam Pai
Chuck Patterson
                                                                                Skylar Peak
                                                            Ned Snow
                                                            Jamie Sterling
                                                            Slater Trout
                                                            Kalani Vierra
                                                            Liam Wilmott
                                                            Kamaki worthington
                                                                       
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.

About International Surfing Association
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).

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