2007 was a great year for my company, C4 Waterman, and for stand-up surfing around the world. Look at any surf line-up nowadays, in the Islands or on the Mainland, and you'll almost always see someone stand up paddling (SUP), when even a year ago, you'd have been surprised to see a single person. I'm proud to have been at the forefront of that revolution, and C4 Waterman has come up with that rising tide. Our influence has pushed the sport far and wide, from the shores of Hawai'i to such far flung places as West Australia and the Canary Islands. And from all indications, 2008 looks to be even better.
I'm also happy to announce the first-ever big-wave SUP contest, the Ku Ikaika Challenge. It's time for us to give back to the surfing community on Oahu, and with that end in mind, I'm proud that $4,000 of the prize purse will be awarded to the West Side's Junior Lifeguard Foundation. We've gone in with QuiksilverEdition and Red Bull to host this contest, and I'd like to thank them for their contribution.
Here's Brian Keaulana about to get barreled at big Makaha.
The contest will be held when the waves are even bigger than this.
(Photo by Allen Mozo.)
Let me say a little bit about the Ku Ikaika Challenge; it will be the event to watch this year, to be held in a minimum of 20-foot waves at beautiful Makaha Beach, on Oahu. Makaha, known for its rolling waves in smaller surf, becomes a barreling beast when the swell reaches 15 feet, and you can bet the action at the Ku Ikaika will be spectacular. The contest judges will have a 5th floor vantage point, just so they are high enough up to see the action.
The holding period began January 15, and will last until February 29; we've got an all-star cast set to make an appearance, including C4 co-founders Brian Keaulana and Dave Parmenter, recent Makahiki Games winner Bonga Perkins, and such famous names as Dave and Ikaika Kalama, Mel Pu'u, Jamie Mitchell, Raimana Van Bastolaer, Luke Egan, Rob Machado, and world champions Tom Carroll and Kelly Slater. In addition to the $4,000 donation, the 32 competitors will all share equally in the remaining $11,200 of the purse ($350 each).
The stage is set for the contest; as soon as the conditions look right and our judges make the call, the show will begin. We'll post the day before at the website for C4 Waterman, so keep checking there! If you'd like to see the full list of competitors, and a bit more information about the contest, please visit the Ku Ikaika Challenge website.
Here's to a good surf session!
Aloha and mahalo!
Todd Bradley
