Final 28 invitees and 24 alternates named for the Eddie

Grant Baker : photo Barry Tuck/Red Bull

Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau
Fueled by Monster

ASP Specialty Event
Waimea Bay Oahu, Hawaii
1 December 2009 - 28 February 2010

South Africa's Grant Baker Selected to Compete

Public voting for the 25th running of the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational In Memory Of Eddie Aikau , the world's premier big wave surfing event, has ended and the final 28 invitees and 24 alternates have been announced. While dominated by Hawaiians, the 28 invitees include some of the most respected big wave surfers in the world, among them Durban charger Grant 'Twiggy' Baker.

"Getting selected to compete in the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational is a dream come true," said Baker, who is currently in the United States. "It is one of the most prestigious contests in the world, and to be one of the 28 surfers in contention is a huge honour for me and the culmination of years of dedicated work and training."

Baker's rise to the top of the international big wave scene has been meteoric, with the past two years firmly establishing the lithe natural-footer as one of the most fearless surfers on the planet. His rise to prominence in the international big wave fraternity has seen Baker win every big wave surfing event on the planet except the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational In Memory Of Eddie Aikau.

These include the Mavericks Big Wave contest, the Red Bull Big Wave Africa at Dungeons in Cape Town, and the Quiksilver Punta de Lobos Big Wave Chile. Baker also won the 2009 XXL Biggest Wave Award and the XXL Best Overall Performance Award after towing into a wave at Tafelberg Reef off Cape Town that has been heralded as one of the largest waves ever ridden.

"To have a shot at adding 'The Eddie' to the list is incredible for me," said Baker, "and I'm committed to giving it my all. I just hope that Neptune comes to the party and gives us the waves we need for the event to run this year."

Commonly known as 'The Eddie', the contest will run over one day between 1 December 2009, and 28 February 2010, when waves at Waimea Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, reach a minimum of 20 feet and will see the 28 big wave specialists competing for US$98,000 in prize money.

Other top surfers on the list of invitees include nine time world surfing champion and 2002 Eddie winner Kelly Slater; Waimea stand-out and the first surfer to get tubed at "The Bay", Brock Little; and Brazilian waterman Carlos Burle. Aside from Slater, there are three other former world champions on the invitee list: Andy Irons, Tom Carroll, and Sunny Garcia; and also five of the other past Eddie winners: Bruce Irons, Noah Johnson, Keone Downing, Ross Clark-Jones and Clyde Aikau (Eddie's younger brother).

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is staged in honour of Waimea Bay's first official lifeguard and Hawaii's most famous big-wave rider. A humble Hawaiian surfer, Aikau set the bar for big wave riding at Waimea Bay in the '60s and '70s. A natural born waterman, Eddie saved countless lives during his watch as a Waimea Bay lifeguard.

He also traveled as one of the first touring professional surfers in the mid-'70s when he was ranked among the world's top 16. During his travels Eddie touched countless lives around the world as he voluntarily delivered a personal message of aloha from Hawaii, often accompanied by his younger brother Clyde and their slack-key guitar playing that was famous for bringing people together.

Eddie lost his life too soon, at the age of 31, during an ill-fated voyage of the Hokule'a sailing canoe in 1978. En-route to Tahiti from Oahu, the Hokule'a capsized in the Molokai Channel in heavy weather and giant seas, injuring several crew members. Aikau was last seen paddling for the Hawaiian Islands to get help. His life, spirit of aloha, and passion for the ocean and mankind is celebrated annually through this big wave event. It is arguably the most famous story in surfing.

A fitting tribute to Aikau, "The Eddie" has grown to be the world's longest-running and most respected big wave contest. First staged at Sunset Beach in the winter of 1984/85 then moved to Waimea in 1985/86, it has been held just seven times in its 25 year history. Its strict adherence to wave height stipulations has only served to underscore the authenticity and importance of the event. Past champions are Denton Miyamora (1985), Clyde Aikau (1986), Keone Downing (1990), Noah Johnson (1999), Ross Clarke-Jones (2001), Kelly Slater (2002), and Bruce Irons (2004).

This year's list of invitees is dominated by Hawaiians, but includes big wave riders from Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Japan, Euskadi (Spain) and mainland USA. 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 www.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!