PRESS RELEASE

WHAT:
On Sunday, March 9, San Diego-based surf school Surf Diva will host They Will Surf Again (TWSA) at La Jolla Shores. TWSA is a no-cost, quality of life program produced by Life Rolls On Foundation that empowers young people with spinal cord injury to rediscover their mobility by riding a wave through the assistance of adaptive surfboards and able-bodied volunteers.

“Surf Diva is proud to host TWSA because we believe everyone should have the opportunity to feel the freedom of surfing, regardless of physical ability,” explained Izzy Tihanyi, president and co-owner of Surf Diva. “It comes back to our motto, ‘The best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun!’”

To kick-off the event, Surf Diva will host a Retail Therapy Night featuring music and refreshments on Saturday, March 8 from 6pm ­ 9pm at the Surf Diva Boutique (2160 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037). 20% of all sales that evening will benefit Life Rolls On.

With additional program sites in Los Angeles, Florida and North Carolina, TWSA, since its inception in 2004, has welcomed nearly 750 participants from as far as Canada, Texas and New York and has been featured in exhibitions at the US Open of Surfing, Sebastian Inlet Pro and O’Neill Coldwater Classic.

“I never thought I’d be able to surf because of my injury,” said 13-year-old TWSA participant Patrick Ivison. “But now I know my injury can’t hold me back from surfing or any of my other dreams.”

WHEN:
Sunday, March 9, 2008
9:00 AM ­ 1:00 PM

WHERE:
La Jolla Shores, La Jolla, CA. When arriving, look for Life Rolls On wing flags and a blue Life Rolls On tent.

PRESS RELEASE

What started as a glint in Surfers’ Hall of Fame founder Aaron Pai’s eye nearly 15 years ago is now an internationally recognized tourism destination and permanent tribute to surfing culture. The nation’s first imprint collection of legendary surfers celebrates its 11th anniversary in July by honoring an extraordinary group of waterman including Mike Parsons, Brad Gerlach, Sean Collins and Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew.

The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 25 in front of Huntington Surf & Sport (corner of PCH and Main in Huntington Beach, CA).

“Advancements in the sport of ‘Big Wave Surfing’ during the past ten years played a prominent role in the selection of this year’s inductees,” said Pai. “Together Mike Parsons, Brad Gerlach and Sean Collins have played significant roles in pioneering this new frontier. The chemistry and camaraderie among the three has helped redefine the sport.”

Pai added, “Sean Collins has literally transformed the way surfers chase waves around the world. From Huntington Beach to Mexico and Fiji, the entire surf industry has come to rely on his expertise in surf forecasting.” Continue reading »

Revered Hawaiian waterman, Aaron Napoleon, (Pearl City, Oahu, 41), won the Ku Ikaika Challenge, the world’s first big-wave stand-up surfing contest, in perfect 15′-30′ Makaha surf on Valentine’s Day 2008.

The first place winner’s check of $4,000 was presented on his behalf to the West Side Junior Lifeguard Foundation. Every surfer in the main event received an equal prize check of $350.

Napoleon surfed through a total of five rounds to win the all-Hawaiian final, charging hard through every round and posting one of the event’s two perfect 10 point rides with a huge barrel. Second place was won by 24-year-old Keoni Keaulana (Waianae, Oahu), who was the top-performing member of the highly represented and respected Keaulana family of Makaha. Third place went to big-wave specialist Ikaika Kalama (Waialua, Oahu), and fourth was Kamu Auwae (Waianae, Oahu).

As the oldest competitor in the final at 41, Napoleon had a lifetime of ocean knowledge to draw from as the product of one of Hawaii’s best known ocean-going families. A top-performer over the years in every salt-water sport on offer, Napoleon attributed his success to good genes and just wanting to have fun.

Ku Ikaika is Hawaiian for “Stand Strong”. The name for this event came from the name of the non-profit foundation established last year by supporting sponsor of this event, C4 Waterman. The Ku Ikaika Foundation was established to shine a light on the youth that it encourages to stand strong and make strong, positive choices in life.

The Ku Ikaika Challenge didn’t start yesterday as the swell fell short of the 20-foot wave face requirement.

Contestants and organizers agreed to wait for the larger swell forecast for this Thursday, Valentine’s Day, February 14.

Competitors have come from California, Australia, Tahiti, and the Hawaiian Islands for this event, the world’s first big-wave international stand up paddle surfing competition.

PRESS RELEASE

The one-day QuiksilverEdition Ku Ikaika Challenge, presented by C4 Waterman and Red Bull, is preparing to run on either Monday, February 11, or Tuesday, February 12, at Makaha Beach on the West Side of Oahu, Hawaii. This event is the world’s first big-wave stand up paddle surfing competition.

Competitors are advised to make travel plans to be on hand at 7am Monday morning at Makaha, ready for a possible 8am start.

A solid swell of up to 12 feet Hawaiian surf scale will be building throughout the day Monday, peaking overnight and persisting through Tuesday. There is also a very good third day on the radar – Thursday, February 14, which could be even larger. Winds are forecast to be perfect at light to moderate trades.

“Could be Monday, could be Tuesday, could be Thursday, but for sure one of those days is looking excellent for the event,” said QuiksilverEdition representative Glen Moncata. “We’re on.”

THE EVENT:
A benefit for the Junior Lifeguard Foundation on the West Side.

DATE:
January 15 to February 29, 2008.
To be held on the day when wave face heights reach 20 feet.

VENUE:
Makaha Point, West Side Oahu, Hawaii.

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).

They were finally able to complete the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro yesterday and Hawaii’s own Pancho Sullivan took the title for a second time.

Held in 6′-8′ surf at Backdoor Pipe, Sullivan posted a perfect 10-point tube ride as well as the highest heat score of the event – 18.75 points out of 20, in the 30-minute final.

The win earned Pancho $7,000 and 875 World Qualifying Series ratings points. Pancho first won this event back in 2005, a result that catapulted him onto the elite ASP World Championship Tour (WCT).

It was an all-Hawaii affair with 2nd and 3rd place going to fellow Hawaiians Fred Patacchia ($3,500 and 14.25 points) and Roy Powers ($2,500 and 9.1 points) respectively, with Dustin Barca fourth ($2,000 and 6.5 points).

The Association of Surfing Professionals now heads to Australia for the start of the World Championship Tour. The next professional event in Hawaii will be next winter.

(… hey Pancho, is that one our mens rash guards you’re wearing?)