HUNTINGTON BEACH - A series of moderate-to-large 10-12 feet (Hawaiian-scale) swells will arrive along the North Shore of Oahu this week, starting late Monday and lasting through to the weekend. The size will not be right for The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau (an ASP Specialty Event) for the first week. The holding period window for the contest runs through February 28 and long range forecasts are definitely not ruling out the possibility of extra-large surf before the conclusion of the holding period. Go to Quiksilver.com/eddie to sign up for the Official “The Bay Calls The Day” text alert and to watch the LIVE contest webcast when it is on.

The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau is the world’s most prestigious big-wave surfing event and offers the largest first place prize of any surfing contest in the world ($55,000 USD). The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau is the only big-wave surf contest sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the governing body of professional surfing. As such, the event is able to bring together some of the most recognized names in surfing, including nine-time ASP World Tour Champion Kelly Slater and three-time ASP World Tour Champion Andy Irons.

Scheduled to take place at the hallowed grounds of Waimea Bay, on the North Shore of Oahu, between November 30, 2008, and February 28, 2009, The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, requires one day with a minimum of 20-foot surf (Hawaiian scale, translating to waves exceeding 40 feet faces) in order to run.

Held in honor of the legendary Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau, The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau gathers 28 of the most skillful and dynamic big-wave surfers from around the world as polled by a comprehensive panel consisting of influential watermen, members of the surf industry, and internationally recognized surfing Associations.

The first memorial event for Aikau was held in 1984 at Sunset Beach, two miles north of Waimea Bay. It was won by local standout Denton Miyamura. Following the inaugural event, The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau moved to Waimea Bay, where it has remained ever since. 2008 marks the event’s 24th anniversary in only seven of those years have the waves been big enough and the conditions right to hold the contest.