We had a press release from the guys in Hawaii about the first SUP big wave competition being held at Makaha Point. The contest is ON for today. and there is a live link to see the action. Remember the action starts at 7am Hawaiian Time :

http://www.kuikaikachallenge.com/

HONOLULU - (February 13, 2008) - The world’s first big-wave international stand up paddle surfing competition - the one-day QuiksilverEdition Ku Ikaika Challenge, presented by C4 Waterman and Red Bull - will tackle macking Makaha Point surf tomorrow, with forecasts for the West Side coming in at 12 feet (wave face heights of 20+ feet), with set waves as high as 15 feet (30-foot wave faces). Competition will get underway at 7 a.m.

“The storm system that generated this swell was absolutely enormous,” explains NOAA forecaster Pat Caldwell. “If it had just slowed down a touch we would be eyeing a possible ‘Eddie’ swell tomorrow for the North Shore, but conditions look pretty amazing for Makaha.

“There’s a broad range of direction to the swell, but the bulk of it will be in the 305-320 degree range which is great for Makaha - not too much shadowing from Kauai.

“Because of the relative proximity of the system, there’ll be a broad range of wave heights too, but the majority of waves for Makaha will be around 12 feet Hawaiian scale.”

The format for the event will be four heats of trials competition with eight surfers advancing to the main round. The main round will feature eight four-man heats with two surfers from each heat advancing through subsequent rounds to a four-man final in the afternoon.

The event is primarily a fund-raiser for the West Side Junior Lifeguard Foundation. Total prize money stands at $15,200, with the winner’s purse of $4,000 being won on behalf of the Junior Guards. All surfers in the main event will receive equal prize money of $350 each.

Competitors include riders from California, Australia, Tahiti, and the Hawaiian Islands.

INVITEES:
Archie Kalepa
Bonga Perkins
Brian Keaulana
Bruce “Cito” DeSoto
Craig Davidson
Dave Kalama
Dave Parmenter
Duane DeSoto
Ikaika Kalama
Jamie Mitchell
Jamie Sterling
Kamaki Worthington
Kelly Slater
Lance Hookano
Leleo Kinimaka
Luke Egan
Mel Puu
Raimana Van Bastolaer
Rob Machado
Robby Naish
Rusty Keaulana
Titus Kinimaka
Tom Carroll
Vetea “Poto” David

16 TRIALISTS:
Buzzy Kerbox
Chris Mauro
Chuck Patterson
Derek Doerner
Ekolu Kalama
Garrett McNamara
Kainoa McGee
Kalani Vierra
Keone Downing
Keone Keaulana
Kyle Mochizuki
Noah Johnson
Nolan Keaulana
Tiare Lawrence
Todd Bradley
Tony Moniz

FORMAT:

32-man format featuring the world’s top stand-up paddle surfers (24 invitees and 8 trialists from a 16-man trials division to be held on the same day).

PRIZE MONEY:

$4,000 donation to the West Side’s Junior Lifeguard Foundation will carry the event winner’s name. Surfers will share equally in $11,200 prize money ($350 each).