The world’s longest running and most prestigious big-wave paddle-in surf competition is eyeing a potential large swell with hopes of providing enough sizeable surf to run possibly later this week. 

The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau which takes place at Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore has only run eight times in 25 years.  The waves much reach at least 20 feet in order to take place.

Based on current information, estimated arrival of this latest swell to hit the Hawaiian Islands is around Thursday, January 20th.  Surfline is calling for a really solid west northwest swell with the surf expected to be 25 to 30 feet on Thursday . 

“We are receiving a ton of phone calls and we are most definitely watching the development of this swell, but it is still far too early to make a call at this time” said Contest Director George Downing.

The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau is the only big-wave invitational sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals, ASP.  Some of this year’s 28 invitees include: Kelly Slater, Bruce Irons, Sunny Garcia, Mark Healey, Greg Long, Peter Mel, Shane Dorian, Tom Carroll and Ross Clarke-Jones.  A few of this year’s 24 alternates are Ross Williams, Ian Walsh, Derk Ho, Taylor Knox, Nathan Fletcher and Kalani Chapman.  

The event has an official waiting period which began on December 1, 2010 and runs until February 28, 2011.  For the entire list of invitees and alternates or for more info. check out, theeddie.quiksilver.com.

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