Twiggy gets Eddie Invite
Friday 8 November 2013 Durbanite Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker has earned an invite to the prestigious Quiksilver in memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Surf Event. The Eddie is held in Hawaii at Waimea Bay in waves bigger than 20ft.
HONOLULU (November 8, 2013) -- The 29th annual Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, the original one-day big wave invitational surfing event that requires waves measuring in excess of 20 feet, is excited to announce the list of 2013/14 Invitees and Alternates. The holding period for the event begins on December 1, 2013, and concludes on February 28, 2014. The official Opening Ceremony with the Aikau Family will be held on Thursday, December 5th, 3pm, at Waimea Bay.
This year sees South African and big wave charger Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker (40) being invited for the fifth year in a row, he is really hoping that the swell delivers this year enabling event officials to deem conditions big enough to call the event on.
"The Eddie is the one contest that every surfer wants to be in from Kelly Slater to Greg Long and everyone in-between. It’s the apex of surfing and for me a born and bred Durban boy it’s an impossible dream that's become a reality and to be selected as one of the 28 invitees is very humbling. I'm as prepared as I could possibly be after an amazing big wave season in the Cape this year and my entire life focus for the past 6 months has been about winning this event for the surfers of South Africa. You can follow my progress while in Hawaii from 01 December to 01 March at www.twigsurfboards.com", said a very proud Baker.
The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau has only been held a total of eight (8) times, most recently on December 8, 2009. California's Greg Long took the honor that year.
To view the full list of Invitees & Alternates, please visit www.Quiksilver.com/Eddie
About Eddie Aikau:
Just 31 years of age when he was lost at sea during an ill-fated voyage of Hawaii's Hokule'a double-hull sailing canoe in 1978, Aikau was a young man at the height of a career equally dedicated to big-wave riding and lifeguarding at historic Waimea Bay. Filled with a pure passion to ride giant surf, take care of his fellow man, and uphold his Hawaiian culture and family values, Aikau became the benchmark by which all big wave riders are measured.
About Quiksilver:
Quiksilver is committed to providing tools for uncovering, expressing and expanding your personal style. Our aim is to foster the sense of individual expression and excitement - the stoke that is the essence of boardriding*. We're also here to spread the word because the only thing better than finding stoke is sharing it. *Boardriding is about timing and style. It's youthful, active, casual, and free flowing. There is no wrong way to ride a board. The goal is simply to learn, progress, improve, and give it your own interpretation.