Saffers crack the nod for the Eddie

It seems our campaigning this year, through the voting system for nominees for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Event have paid off, with a record number of South African riders invited. Grant "Twig" Baker is of course on the list, but 2 more South Africans have made the event this year, with Chris Bertish making the invite list along with Twig and Andrew Marr, long time Waimea Bay rider making the alternate list. Bizarrely the list has Bertish as hailing from Europe and Andy from Hawaii? But, I can assure you both will be flying the SA flag.

The infamous Waimea Shorebreak

Held in honor of the legendary Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau, The Quiksilver in honour of Eddie Aikau gathers the most skillful and dynamic big-wave surfers from around the globe. The Eddie is a surfer’s ultimate challenge, employing unassisted manpower to physically paddle into and ride giant waves.

Eddie launched today with the announcement of the 28 coveted Invitees and 24 Alternates to the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy (an ASP Specialty Event). The event will be held on one day, between December 1, 2010 and February 28, 2011, when waves exceed the 20-foot minimum threshold and Invitees contend for the $98,000 prize purse. The traditional opening ceremony will take place at 2:30pm, December 2nd, 2010, at Waimea Bay. Monster Energy will be presenting the Monster Drop 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.
Invitees:
Clyde Aikau (HAW)
Kala Alexander (HAW)
Tom Carroll (AUS)
Kohl Christenson (HAW)
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS)
Shane Dorian (HAW)
Keone Downing (HAW)
Sunny Garcia (HAW)
Mark Healy (HAW)
Michael Ho (HAW)
Bruce Irons (HAW)
Noah Johnson (HAW)
Rusty Keaulana (HAW)
Brock Little (HAW)
Greg Long (USA)
Reef McIntosh (HAW)
Garrett McNamara (HAW)
Peter Mel (USA)
Ramon Navarro (CHL)
Jamie O’Brien (HAW)
Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Kelly Slater (USA)
Jamie Sterling (HAW)
Dave Wassell (HAW)
Grant Baker (ZAF)
Chris Bertish (EUR)
Carlos Burle (BRA)
Takayuki Wakita (JPN)
Honorary Invitees:
Donny Solomon (HAW)
Jay Moriarty (USA)
Lester Falatea (HAW)
Mark Foo (HAW)
Peter Davi (USA)
Tiger Espere (HAW)
Todd Chesser (HAW)
Andy Irons (HAW)
Alternates:
Kahea Hart (HAW) – Aikau Pick
Ross Williams (HAW)
Nathan Fletcher (USA)
Mark Mathews (AUS)
Sion Miloski (HAW)
Kalani Chapman (HAW)
Keoni Watson (HAW)
Anthony Tashnick (USA)
Ian Walsh (HAW)
Koby Abberton (AUS)
Danny Fuller (HAW)
Kealii Mamala (HAW)
Ken Collins (USA)
Myles Padaca (HAW)
Laurie Towner (AUS)
Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
Paul Patterson (AUS)
Andrew Marr (HAW)
Rusty Long (USA)
Tony Ray (AUS)
Derek Ho (HAW)
Taylor Knox (USA)
Tau Hannemann (HAW)
Manoa Drollet (PYF)