Go to the Mens Clearnace and Womens Clearance as we have 50% OFF selected items to clear. Also 25% all other Mens and Womens Clothing too!!
Footwear we have 20% OFF and 50% OFF seleted styles.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Billabong International has announced that after discussions with the Association Of Surfing Professionals (ASP) and surfer representatives from the World Professional Surfers (WPS) it was collectively decided the Billabong Pro Mundaka would no longer be a fixture of the ASP Men’s World Tour in 2010.

After 10-years at the location it was felt that Mundaka’s dependency on large swells and short tide windows to allow competition made it difficult for the event to be completed within the normal event waiting period.

While Mundaka on its day remains one of the worlds premier breaks, ten years of competition provided very few days of excellent conditions at Mundaka with many of the heats being held in the back-up locations.

Billabong, the ASP and the surfers would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the people, the authorities of Mundaka, Bakio, Sopelana and the local region for their loyalty and support

While there will be no Billabong world tour event scheduled for Europe in 2010, the company is exploring a number of potential opportunities for elite world tour competition in the region for 2011.

GO TO: SURFSIDEONLIE

Taj Burrow (AUS), 31, has claimed the 2009 Billabong Pipe Masters, defeating fellow Finalist Kelly Slater (USA), 37, in clean three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves at the Banzai Pipeline.

The final event of the 2009 ASP World Tour season, the Billabong Pipe Masters culminated the Vans Triple Crown (an ASP Specialty Series), and provided non-stop, high-caliber action from the outset.

Burrow wasted little time in putting Slater on the ropes in the 35-minute Final, racking up a 7.00 out of a possible 10 on his opening ride for an electric air reverse followed by some solid forehand maneuvers. With deteriorating conditions, Burrow stayed busy before collecting a 5.83 for an incredible full-rotation alley-oop, putting the pressure on Slater as time ran out.

“There were perfect backdoor waves this whole event and then for the Final it went onshore,” Burrow said. “It was strictly turns. It was all about turns and hopefully doing a few airs and I dropped down to my shortboard and my plan was to just to let loose. It was tough because I knew Kelly (Slater) could do anything. Even when there was 20 seconds to go and I had priority, I was still scared. I just had nothing to lose and tried to let loose.”

Today’s victory mark’s Burrow’s first ASP World Tour win since 2007 and his first-ever win at the infamous Banzai Pipeline.

“This win feels about as good as you could imagine,” Burrow said. “For me, winning this contest is the next best thing to winning a World Title. This is the one and only event that everyone would probably pick to win and I can’t believe I’m standing here right now. It’s an amazing feeling. There are so many tough guys that you go up against in this event that I thought it was out of my reach. This is the best victory of my career.”
Burrow, who has long been considered a legitimate ASP World Title contender, is thrilled with his finish to the 2009 season looks forward to 2010 with renewed vigor and hunger to hunt down the ever-elusive ASP crown.

“This win is an excellent springboard into next season,” Burrow said. “There is nothing but confidence to take from this and I’m excited for the Gold Coast. It comes around really fast. It feels like we’re on holiday now, but the Gold Coast sneaks up on us pretty quick and I’m excited for it. Hopefully I can win some more events, but this is the number one that I’ve ever dreamed of winning.”

Slater looked near unbeatable throughout the Billabong Pipe Masters, deftly maneuvering his 5’11” craft through one incredible tube after another before running into Burrow in the Finals. While his opponent stayed busy throughout the bout, Slater waited patiently for scoring opportunities that never manifested.

“Unfortunately the Final had the absolute worst conditions of the contest, but there are still fun waves out there,” Slater said. “You could go out for a free surf and have a good time. It’s difficult to transition when you’re already expecting one thing. I had already had a couple of heats with barrels and then all of a sudden it’s completely different conditions. Still, there’s a shallow reef there, so you’re expecting one to throw out and barrel, but it just didn’t happen.”

The former nine-time ASP World Champion was in the hunt for an unprecedented seventh Pipe Masters title, but the conditions didn’t cooperate for the Floridian, despite finding the only barrel of the Final, scoring a 3.93 out of a possible 10.

“I thought the wave would be more than a three,” Slater said. “I still needed two waves, basically. There really weren’t any nine-point rides out there and had that been only a six I would have needed a seven. I thought the judges put me in a weird situation there, and in the end, nothing else came. Well, that’s not entirely true. I caught that last wave and did an off-the-top and Taj (Burrow) took off on it and just kicked off the side. He almost stood up too late and could have got an interference. Had he done that he would have only been judged on one wave. Had I landed that air reverse I could have gotten a score, but it was a long shot.”

In terms of returning in 2010 for an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title, Slater is characteristically guarded.

“I don’t know if I’m going to do the tour full-time next year,” Slater said. “I’m sort of feeling it out. I’ve just competed for so many years, doing the same thing and going to the same places, it’s a little monotonous. When you find some meaning in it and it’s bigger than just going and surfing, then it becomes more exciting, but, unfortunately, this year I had a pretty lackluster year in a lot of ways, both personally and competitively and it probably showed in my surfing.”

Dean Morrison (AUS), 28, secured his best result of the season today, finishing Equal 3rd at the Billabong Pipe Masters to cement himself at No. 16th on the year-end ratings. Besting Damien Hobgood (USA), 30, in a tight Quarterfinal before falling to Slater in the Semifinals, Morrison put himself into excellent position heading into the 2010 ASP World Tour season.

“There’s a lot of hassling going on out there, but that’s the way it goes when it’s such a tight peak,” Morrison said. “I spend a lot of time out here at Pipeline though, so it’s nice to have made it through to the Semifinals.”

Dane Reynolds (USA), 24, continued his impressive run through the back half of the 2009 ASP World Tour season, finishing Equal 3rd today at the Billabong Pipe Masters and cracking the Top 10 in the year-end ASP ratings. Although quickly dispatching of compatriot C.J. Hobgood (USA), 30, in the Quarterfinals, Reynolds was unable to negotiate the deteriorating conditions in his Semifinal bout against event winner Burrow.

“I was kind of stuck between trying to find air sections and still trying to find one of those rare tubes and ended up not doing either,” Reynolds said. “I just got stuck in the middle. I’m stoked though. It was a good way to end the year and it’s been a good event.”

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, was in the running for the 2009 ASP World Title before bowing out of the Billabong Pipe Masters in Round 3 of competition. Although Gold Coast stable mate Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, claimed the 2009 ASP World Title, Parkinson’s efforts throughout the Vans Triple Crown (an ASP Specialty Series) saw the talented natural-footer awarded with his second consecutive Vans Triple Crown Title as well as a bonus $50,000 from the Vans Triple Threat prize pool.

“This is my consolation prize to this year’s ASP World Title,” Parkinson said. “To me, the Triple Crown is the next best thing to the World Title. Last year I wanted to win the Vans Triple Crown and this year I wanted to win the ASP World Title, but I won the Triple Crown and I’m over the moon with what happened this year. I should be proud of everything I’ve done and I can’t wait for next year and I’ll be back strong for another Triple Crown and all that and I just want to thank Vans for stepping it up to a new level for putting out huge incentives for us.”

Highlights from the Billabong Pipe Masters can be found on www.billabongpro.com and www.triplecrownofsurfing.com

While the 2009 season has come to a close, the 2010 ASP World Tour is just around the corner, and will set new benchmarks in performance as it continues to showcase the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves.

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com

BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 12.83
2 – Kelly Slater (USA) 7.10

BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.17 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 7.00
SF 2: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.50 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 11.67

BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Dean Morrison (AUS) 11.00 def. Damien Hobgood (USA) 10.17
QF 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.24 def. Flynn Novak (HAW) 13.87
QF 3: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.90 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.40
QF 4: Dane Reynolds (USA) 15.10 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.67

VANS TRIPLE CROWN TRIPLE THREAT AWARDS:
2009 ASP World Champion: Mick Fanning (AUS) – awarded bonus $50,000
2009 Vans Triple Crown Champion: Joel Parkinson (AUS) – awarded bonus $50,000
2009 Billabong Pipe Masters Champion: Taj Burrow (AUS) – awarded bonus $50,000

VANS TRIPLE CROWN FINAL TOP 3 (Men’s):
1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6694 points
2 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 6213 points
3 – Torrey Meister (HAW) 5775 points

New Surf Dvds Releases

PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Saturday, December 12, 2009) – Mick Fanning (AUS), 28, has been crowned the 2009 ASP World Champion, following a stunning performance at the Banzai Pipeline today.

Heading into the final stop of the 2009 ASP World Tour season, Fanning held the ASP ratings’ lead over fellow Gold Coast surfer Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, and with Parkinson’s Round 3 exit in today’s Billabong Pipe Masters at the hands of wildcard Gavin Gillette (HAW), 23, Fanning secured his second ASP World Title.

“I’m just a bit overwhelmed right now and I don’t quite know what to say,” Fanning said. “It was hard out there. I was trying to get ready for my heat and then Gavin (Gillette) got that one score as I was paddling out and, I don’t know, I just sort of slowed down.”

For the first time since 2003, the ASP World Title came down to the final event of the season at the Billabong Pipe Masters.

“This title is way more fun,” Fanning said. “I was much more relaxed for this one – besides the last few days, I was really nervous.”

The 2009 ASP World Tour season will go down in history as one of the most dramatic, with Parkinson winning three of the first five events before Fanning rallied in the latter half of the season to overtake his good friend.

“I knew I was surfing well,” Fanning said. “It was just a matter of getting that result. I knew it was going to turn around sooner or later. I don’t know, it’s weird the way the world works.”

Fanning’s 2009 ASP World Tour results are as follows:

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast: Equal 3rd
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: Equal 5th
Billabong Pro Teahupoo: Equal 9th
Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro: Equal 5th
Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay: Equal 17th
Hurley Pro Trestles: WINNER
Quiksilver Pro France: WINNER
Billabong Pro Mundaka: Equal 9th
Rip Curl Pro Search: WINNER
Billabong Pipeline Masters: Equal 9th

In the end, and reminiscent of Fanning’s 2007 ASP World Title (clinched in Brazil), the lightning-fast natural-footer was in the water with Parkinson (in between heats) as the scene unfolded. The two lifelong friends embraced, exchanged words and paddled in separate directions.

“We just sort of sat there and hugged and chatted about what’s happened over the last few days and how nervous we both were,” Fanning said. “It was hard to watch what happened to him this year. He had such a stranglehold on the tour and then he had that ankle injury, so as a friend it was hard to watch that. If I wasn’t in the race I would have been gunning for Joel for sure.”

For securing the 2009 ASP World Title, Fanning has also been awarded and extra $50,000 from the Vans Triple Threat bonus package.

While the 2009 ASP World Title has been decided, the 2009 ASP World Tour season is far from over with one more day of competition remaining at the Billabong Pipe Masters.

Following his clinching of the 2009 ASP World Title, Fanning fell to Dean Morrison (AUS), 28, in the opening heat of Round 4.

To watch the world’s best surfers tackle the Banzai Pipeline, check out the Billabong Pipe Masters LIVE on www.billabongpro.com and www.triplecrownofsurfing.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Round 1 of the third jewel in the Vans Triple Crown - the Billabong Pipeline Masters - completed today in 6-10 ft surf at the Banzai Pipeline.

Michael Picon (FRA), 30, current ASP World No. 39, is in need of an impressive result in the final event of the year to secure his position amongst the world’s elite in 2010. Today, the Frenchman put the rest of the draw on notice, first eliminating wildcard Manoa Drollet (PYF) before posting the highest heat total of the event, a 19.76 out of a possible 20, for a brilliant backhand tube-riding approach to take out Josh Kerr (AUS), 25, in the final heat of the day.

“That was the best heat of my life,” Picon said. “I was just trying to build momentum and I feel like all of the training I’ve done is paying off. It’s great to have this heat at Pipeline and in Hawaii. Today was all about the rights. We all knew that. I was going for the right too. I figured I’d go for the death, whatever.”

To vault himself ahead the current qualification cutoff point, Picon will have to finish third or better at the Billabong Pipeline Masters, but the calculated Frenchman remains calm heading into the remainder of the event.

“I’m trying not to think about it,” Picon said. “I’m just thinking about having a good heat and having a good contest here because it’s always been a dream for me to do well at Pipeline. I’m just really confident after that heat.”

John John Florence (HAW), 16, the Billabong Pipeline Masters’ youngest competitor, was a tour du force in his Round 1 heat, posting an impressive 17.20 out of a possible 20, to defeat fellow Hawaiian wildcard Danny Fuller (HAW), 27.

“With four guys out at Pipe I was going crazy and just trying to get every wave I could,” Florence said. “Yesterday was big and messy and today’s conditions have really cleaned up. This morning was fun, but this afternoon’s wind has made it really good. Growing up here, I really looked up to all the local guys for inspiration and advice out here. To be competing in the Pipe Masters is an honor and I hope I have the opportunity to surf through a few more rounds.”

Florence will take on current ASP World No. 27, Heitor Alves (BRA), 27, in Heat 12 of Round 2 when competition resumes.

Andy Irons (HAW), 31, former three-time ASP World Champion and former four-time Pipe Master Champion, showed a return to form today recovering from an early heat double-interference collision with opponent Marcus Hickman (HAW), 30, and rallying with a dominant performance in the Backdoor righthanders. Although on sabbatical from full-time competition this season, Irons’ return to the ASP World Tour in 2010 has been highly-anticipated by the surfing world.

“I’ve decided to be on the world tour next year and just being in a jersey is a good warm-up for it,” Irons said. “I definitely feel like I’m in a better position going into next season after taking this year off.”

Irons will take on current ASP World No. 25, Drew Courtney (AUS), 30, in Heat 16 of Round 2 when the Billabong Pipeline Masters recommences.

Andy wasn’t the only Irons to make a dent in today’s competition as younger brother and former ASP World Tour campaigner, Bruce Irons (HAW), 30, took down lethal Californian Tim Reyes (USA), 27, in Round 2 of competition.

Torrey Meister (HAW), 21, wildcard into the Billabong Pipeline Masters, was the first alternate called to action when Sunny Garcia (HAW), 39, failed to show for his Round 1 heat. Despite arriving late to the lineup, Meister put in an inspired performance in both the Backdoor rights and the Pipeline lefts to net a 16.83 out of a possible 20 to overtake Nic Muscroft (AUS), 27.

“I don’t know what happened,” Meister said. “I expected Sunny (Garcia) to turn up and I was sitting on the beach getting tired watching the waves. It was firing and I couldn’t get too antsy because I didn’t know if I was going to get into the event, but I’m happy that I did. I guess it’s kind of an advantage to get in this way, because I didn’t have time to get nervous before my heat.”

Meister will face current ASP World No. 16, Kai Otton (AUS), 29, in the first heat when competition resumes.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30am to assess conditions for a possible 8am start.

The Billabong Pipeline Masters will be webcast LIVE via www.billabongpro.com and www.triplecrownofsurfing.com

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com


BILLABONG PIPELINE MASTERS ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Gavin Gillette (HAW) 15.50 def. Jihad Khodr (BRA) 11.33
Heat 2: Gabe Kling (USA) 11.17 def. Kalani Chapman (HAW) 10.17
Heat 3: Andy Irons (HAW) 12.42 def. Marcus Hickman (HAW) 10.17
Heat 4: Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 13.17 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 12.96
Heat 5: Liam McNamara (HAW) 7.67 def. Nathaniel Curran (USA) 7.34
Heat 6: Hank Gaskell (HAW) 12.00 def. David Weare (ZAF) 8.73
Heat 7: Bruce Irons (HAW) 12.34 def. Reef McIntosh (HAW) 11.66
Heat 8: Torrey Meister (HAW) 16.83 def. Nic Muscroft (AUS) 8.90
Heat 9: Michael Picon (FRA) 10.50 def. Manoa Drollet (PYF) 9.93
Heat 10: Shane Dorian (HAW) 16.67 def. Kamalei Alexander (HAW) 7.73
Heat 11: Dayyan Neve (AUS) 13.43 def. Jonah Morgan (HAW) 6.84
Heat 12: Flynn Novak (HAW) 16.40 def. Luke Stedman (AUS) 12.34
Heat 13: Sion Miloski (HAW) 17.00 def. Dustin Barca (HAW) 14.03
Heat 14: John John Florence (HAW) 17.20 def. Danny Fuller (HAW) 11.33
Heat 15: Mason Ho (HAW) 15.83 def. Jay Thompson (AUS) 9.50
Heat 16: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 12.66 def. Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 10.33

BILLABONG PIPELINE MASTERS ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Liam McNamara (HAW) 7.94 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 6.83
Heat 2: Roy Powers (HAW) 10.26 def. Gabe Kling (USA) 10.06
Heat 3: Phillip MacDonald (AUS) 10.40 def. Greg Emslie (ZAF) 3.83
Heat 4: Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 12.00 def. Mason Ho (HAW) 10.67
Heat 5: Bruce Irons (HAW) 15.67 def. Tim Reyes (USA) 13.93
Heat 6: Shane Dorian (HAW) 11.17 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 8.33
Heat 7: Michael Picon (FRA) 19.76 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 16.73

REMAINING BILLABONG PIPELINE MASTERS ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 8: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Torrey Meister (HAW)
Heat 9: Dean Morrison (AUS) vs. Sion Milosky (HAW)
Heat 10: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Flynn Novak (HAW)
Heat 12: Heitor Alves (BRA) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
Heat 13: Mick Campbell (AUS) vs. Gavin Gillette (HAW)
Heat 14: Tim Boal (FRA) vs. Dayyan Neve (AUS)
Heat 15: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Hank Gaskell (HAW)
Heat 16: Drew Courtney (AUS) Andy Irons (HAW)

BILLABONG PIPELINE MASTERS ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 3: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 4: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 5: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. TBA
Heat 6: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 7: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. TBA
Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 10: Kieren Perrow (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 11: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. TBA
Heat 13: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 14: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. TBA
Heat 15: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. TBA
Heat 16: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. TBA

CALIFORNIA'S GREG LONG WINS QUIKSILVER IN MEMORY OF EDDIE AIKAU FUELED BY MONSTER IN GIGANTIC WAIMEA WAVES Ramon Navarro, Chile, Unanimous Choice for Monster Drop Award
TUESDAY Dec. 8, 2009

After 25 years with most of those spent waiting, Waimea Bay delivered an event of legendary proportions today at the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, Fueled by Monster Energy. It was 25 years to the day since the first "Eddie" was held and waves of up to 50 feet poured in to Oahu's North Shore as if on cue. With younger brother Clyde still in the lineup, at age 60, joined by the contemporary top guns of big wave riding, a packed arena celebrated every gutsy ride in brilliant sunshine befitting of a tribute to local hero Eddie Aikau.

When all was said and done, it was California's Greg Long, 26, (San Clemente) who made a late charge in the final heat of the day to claim the $55,000 winner's purse. Long committed to an unbelievable never-say-die attack, securing all four of his top scores - several of them death-defying and one of them a perfect 100-point ride, in macking 40- to 50-foot waves. It was the high point of his career to-date - pretty incredible given that he only rode Waimea for the first time this week.

"I'm so happy just to be here, invited into the biggest event of big waves in the world with all my heroes, I'm so excited," said Long.

"It's a dream come true for me. Riding big waves is my passion and I've been following The Eddie since I knew exactly what it was, I was probably 12-years-old just getting into surfing. Since then, I've had every single poster from Brock Little to Bruce Irons on my wall. I look to those guys for inspiration and to be standing up here with Sunny (Garcia) and Kelly Slater is a dream come true for me. I never would have thought that this is my first year surfing the event and to come away with a victory is really a childhood dream become real.

"I'm still standing here in awe and I want to go check the scores to make sure someone isn't going to come here and take this away.

"It really is about the wave and celebrating the ocean. It's what we do: go out there and ride big waves. The respect and camaraderie in the lineup you don't find in too many places in the world, and this event really encapsulates everything that's great about surfing: the friendships you make in the water and looking out for one another."

The Monster Drop Award, for the most hellacious-but-successful takeoff of the contest, went to Chile's Ramon Navarro, who also finished fifth overall. This is his first time as an invitee into the event. Navarro's winning wave was one of the last of the competition; a huge, seemingly endless drop on his backhand, followed by a detonation of whitewater that he emerged from and then stuck with all the way to the beach. He earned a perfect 100 points.

Navarro first came in 2004 to surf Waimea with an invitation from good friend and fellow contestant today, Kohl Christensen. He baked empanadas and sold them to pay his rent and learn the ropes. Today was pay day. Navarro won $10,000 for the Monster Drop Award, and $2,000 for fifth place. It was a great result for someone who almost didn't surf today after his pregnant wife was accidentally injured on the beach.

"This is a dream for me," said Navarro. "I want to say thank you to Kohl Christensen, Dusty Middleton and all the crew because those are the guys that invited me here and taught me how to surf The Bay. I appreciate everything from these guys."

Nine-time world champion Kelly Slater (Florida, USA), who won here back in January of 2002, placed second after leading the score board from the first second heat of the day. Long turned the tables on him in the final hour of competition. All Slater could do was look on in as much disbelief as the frenzied crowd who were at that point ready to celebrate with anyone. Slater earned $10,000. Third was Hawaii's Sunny Garcia, earning $3,000. Fourth was defending Eddie champion Bruce Irons (Kauai), $3,000.

Navarro's buddy Christensen can lay claim to the most devastating wipeout of the day that remains burned in every mind here today. He also posted several solid scores, but a wipeout like his is as unforgettable as a win.

The call to wait for today and the ensuing result was mind-boggling, especially since many were questioning not running yesterday in 40-foot surf. By afternoon, all concerned were stunned that 79-year-old contest director and big wave icon George Downing had kept his cool so well and timed it perfectly for a second peak in swell energy. The past 48 hours of massive surf is the largest sustained episode to hit the Hawaiian Islands in 40 years.

From the moment the event was declared "on" at dawn, to the final gut-wrenching wipeouts that came with the peaking swell of afternoon, the air was filled with salt spray and adrenaline. Not a square foot of sand or lava rock was empty as a capacity crowd of over 50,000 packed the natural amphitheater of Waimea Bay to experience the pairing of Mother Nature and the men who ride her mountainous surf.

The insane wipeouts that dropped like dominoes, the hairball air drops and perfect scores, the 28 surfers of the event who put their lives on the line in honor of Aikau today - it all made for the greatest day of the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau's history.

Waimea Bay's best known big-wave rider and first life-guard, Eddie Aikau, was smiling down on his successors today. Along with the surfers, he would have admired Hawaiian Water Patrol for keeping the lineup and the surfers safe all day yesterday and today. There is no greater collection of guardian angels of the sea than the lifeguards of the North Shore.

Everyone came out in support of Hawaii's big wave gift to the world, including football: The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, along with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Oahu Visitors Bureau came together with support that enabled highlights of the day to reach all four corners of the globe.

Mahalo to Hawaii's Oceanic Cable, who along with the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing took today's action live, all day, throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

FUEL TV will air a one-hour highlight show in the United States: 6:30pm PT/9:30pm ET on Friday, December 11, 2009. The show will re-air several times over the weekend.

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, Fueled by Monster Energy, is the only ASP sanctioned big wave event in the world.

RESULTS: Listed in order of 1st through 28th
Greg Long (California)
Kelly Slater (Florida)
Sunny Garcia (Hawaii)
Bruce Irons (Hawaii)
Ramon Navarro (Chile) * Monster Drop Award
Ross Clarke-Jones (Australia)
Jamie O'Brien (Hawaii)
Mark Healey (Hawaii)
Garret McNamara (Hawaii)
Noah Johnson (Hawaii)
Shane Dorian (Hawaii)
Makuakai Rothman (Hawaii)
Reef McIntosh (Hawaii)
Andy Irons (Hawaii)
Grant Baker (Hawaii)
Carlos Burle (Brazil)
Kohl Chrtistensen (Hawaii)
Kala Alexander (Hawaii)
Peter Mel (USA)
Takayuki Wakita (Japan)
Ibon Amatriain (Spain)
Clyde Aikau (Hawaii)
Keone Downing (Hawaii)
Mike Ho (Hawaii)
Darryl 'Flea' Virostko (USA)
Brian Keaulana (Hawaii)
Rusty Keaulana (Hawaii)
Pancho Sullivan (Hawaii)

Battle Begins With Classy Conclusion to ASP WQS 6-Star PRIME O'Neill World Cup
SUNSET BEACH, Oahu/Hawaii (Sunday, December 6, 2009) - You couldn’t have ed it any better. The O’Neill World Cup of Surfing reached its highest point in 35 years today in clean 10- to 15-foot surf after riding out the biggest waves in Vans Triple Crown of Surfing history. When all was said and done, Australian Joel Parkinson was the winner, claiming $20,000 and the lead on the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing ratings presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. More importantly, he gained momentum and psychological ground on close friend Mick Fanning, with whom he will battle for the ASP World Title at Pipeline next week.

But there was even more to the story than that. Joining the Aussie mates was six-time Vans Triple Crown champion Sunny Garcia, 39, who had to finish first or second to win a wildcard into next week’s Pipeline Masters and keep his dream of a seventh Vans title alive. He pulled it off as the cameras filming his life story documentary rolled. And then there was Dusty Payne, the 20-year-old from Maui who needed to do well today to become the first Maui surfer in history to qualify for the ASP Dream Tour. He did just that, finishing fourth in the final.

Taylor Knox (Carlsbad) was the highest placed Californian, losing in the semi-finals to Joel and Sunny to place equal 7th.

Sunny started out strongest in the 35-minute final, locking in the deepest barrel of the day, worth 9.47 out of 10, that put his rivals on red alert. Fanning and ’Parko’ were having their own preliminary world title match up on the West Bowl. The two traded off small barrel rides for average scores, as Garcia stayed busy but couldn’t find a backup for his major score. Parkinson finally managed to post a 7.0 with a couple of smooth on-rail carves and with only two minutes remaining scored a 6.17 for a late barrel through the inside. Garcia scratched as the Nixon timer counted down, ultimately failing to find the mere 3.7 score he needed for a win.

Parkinson joins Hawaii’s legendary Michael Ho as the only three-time winners of the O’Neill World Cup at Sunset Beach. If he can win this year’s Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title, he can claim a $50,000 bonus and a $10,000 custom Nixon watch. But Garcia is hot on his heels - only 31 points, or less than a place, behind.

"I couldn’t hear the score, but I heard the crowd," said Parkinson of Sunny’s 9.47 ride. "I knew I had my work cut out for me.

"With two minutes to go (Sunny) needed a three and I felt like telling him ’you just gotta go anything’.

"It’s a little sweeter because I’m coming off a bit of an injury. Right now it feels really good because I’m back on the podium and back winning going into the biggest battle of my career.

"I love the Triple Crown."

While the commentators, crowd and media drooled over the Parko/Fanning matchup today and prelude to the world title, Mick was quick to deflect the pressure to Joel.

"I’m in the lead and all the pressure is on Joel now," said Fanning. "He has to get third (at Pipe). There’s no room for error for him. I’m just concentrating on myself and getting through as many heats as possible and making it as hard as possible for him.

"I just wanted to get some heats under my belt. It’s getting back in that rhythm of doing heats again and everything feels real good. I’m excited."

In classic Garcia style, none of his brilliance today ended up being good enough without taking the winner’s cup home.

"It’s not how it starts, it’s how it ends," said Garcia.

"It feels good, but I’m still bummed that I lost. I came this far and I wanted to win. I started off with a 9.4 and to need a three at the end of the heat and not get it was a little frustrating. Hopefully, they’ll run the Eddie tomorrow, I’ll go get some big waves and wash out this loss and get ready for Pipe."

Known for being a last-minute guy, Payne wait until the last event of the year to qualify.

"It’s a dream to make the WCT," said Dusty Payne. "I’m over the moon right now. It hasn’t sunk in yet and I don’t think it will until the tour starts next year."

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing now moves to Pipeline for the ultimate showdown: the Billabong Pipeline Masters, where the lion’s share of the $1,000,000 Vans Triple Crown prize purse will be doled out. $50,000 will go to the Triple Crown champion $340,000 is up for grabs in the Pipe Masters and the winner there will receive a total of $90,000. Vans will also award the ASP world champion with a $50,000 bonus.

Dickie Cross lost his life at the Waimea Bay in 1943. Caught out by a large, rising swell at Sunset Beach, Cross and Woody Brown opted to paddle three miles down to Waimea. They hoped they might make it in through the channel, but arrived to find the place closing out, with waves in excess of 40 feet breaking across the bay. Brown barely made it ashore. Cross's body was never recovered.

Over the next decade, Waimea was bodysurfed by a handful - Noah Kalama, Fran Heath, and John Kelly, but North Shore boardriding largely occured at Sunset, Laniakea, and Haleiwa.

Seal Beach lifeguard Harry Schurch was driving around Waimea Bay on a day in 1957 when he noticed what appeared to be rideable waves on the point - nothing life-threatening, somewhere in the 10-15-foot range. He rode a few. Later that day, back from Makaha, Greg Noll, Mike Stang, Mickey Munoz, Del Cannon and Bing Copeland also took it on as the swell rose toward 20 feet. Their session, unlike Schurch's, was captured on film by Bud Brown for what became Waimea's introduction to the rest of the world.

In 1958 Peter Cole, Ricky Grigg and Pat Curren from California added a few more minds to the mix. They focused on taming the beast of a wave that Waimea represented at 20 feet and over.

Eddie Aikau hit the scene in 1966, kicking off a relationship with Waimea that would become legendary - saving countless lives as the Bay's first official lifeguard and surfing for up to eight hours at a time without breaks, riding beautifully.

More than the wave, the rider, or the equipment, it was the camera capturing the images that brought about international awareness and elevated Waimea to what was perceived as a recognition wave.

Television coverage, contests, and the pro surfing movement all started to gel around the time and surfing was becoming a legitimate lifestyle. Surfers who came for a season ended up staying, and pretty soon Waimea had a solid base of big wave chargers: Mike Diffenderfer, Owl Chapman, Reno Abellira, Sam Hawk, Downing, Cole, Grigg, Kimo Hollinger, Buzzy Trent, Jose Angel, Aikau, Kealoha Kaeo and Tiger Espere.

With the 1980s came the redefinition of the way Waimea was surfed. While the takeoff remained the crux of the ride, maneuvers offered a whole new challenge as surfers looked to transpose a new standard of carving turns onto the expansive canvas of Waimea.

In the winter of 1984/'85, the first Eddie Aikau Memorial was held at Sunset Beach. The next winter Quiksilver took this event to a new level, relocating it to Waimea Bay . They invited big wave specialists from around the world, and provided a platform for showcasing the sport's high-end, and performance levels went through the roof.

Along with the North Shore's general surfing population, there was a growing number sharing the lineup at Waimea; Booby Jones, Tommy Nellis, Richard Schmidt, Brock Little, Clyde Aikau, Ken Bradshaw, Roger Erickson, Mark Foo, Doerner, Tony Moniz, Charlie Walker, Aaron Napoleon, Marvin Foster, Mickey Nielson, Bobby Owens and Johnny Boy Gomes.

The 1990s brought changes unimaginable to the surfing world, and Waimea's esteemed rating of big-wave riding's zenith was challenged.

A booming global surf industry, fully-fledged international world tour, and mainstream acceptance of the sport were setting new heights. The birth of everything "extreme" was on the horizon and surfing was at the vanguard. The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau was soon keeping company with its California cousin - the Quiksilver Maverick's Men Who Ride Mountains event.

Greater notoriety ushered in more crowds and surfing's numbers continued to increase. Exposure of locations, along with the accessibility and affordability of travel added more again. In addition, the science of surf-forecasting was enabling surfers to pinpoint swells around the planet and make arrangements to coincide with them. Much of the mystery and exclusivity was gone.

What began as a tactic to outrun the crowd, soon turned into a new frontier in surfing: the tow-in. By the mid-1990s, the big-wave barrier of Waimea's 25-35 feet was completely shattered as guys like Doerner, Laird Hamilton, and Dave Kalama put a spot called "Jaws" on the map with this particular method of using jet skis to get into the wave. They had found a new mountain and a new game developed. It was the first time Waimea's size and intensity had been called into question, but out of respect, very few were willing to voice the opinion out loud.

In terms of big-wave riding in its purest form, tow-in is no match for the sheer skill required of one man to paddle himself into giant waves. If 30 to 35-feet is the limit to self propultion then so be it. Despite the advent of towing in, Waimea's stature was in tact; it proves the ultimate challenge of man versus the sea. With its ancient roots and the energy of its forefathers, Waimea was still deemed to be the soul of big-wave riding.

Today Waimea still has its old-style crew surfing it just for the love; guys like Clarke Abbey, Eric Haas, and Chris Owens. They wouldn't miss a swell for the world and it doesn't matter on what day it might fall. Then when it's "Eddie" time, it will be guys like Slater, Bruce and Andy Irons, Keone Downing, Titus kinimaka, Brock Little, Ross WIlliiams, Ross Clarke-Jones, Darryl Virostko, Mark Healey, Paul Paterson, and Peter Mel who find the spotlight.

Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Timeline:

Winter of 1984/1985 - First memorial event in Aikau's honor held at Sunset Beach, won by Denton Miyamura.

1986/1987 - Eddie Aikau event moved to Waimea, won by Clyde Aikau in onshore 20-foot surf, Feb. 21, 1987

1989/1990 - Event runs in late January, wave heights 25-foot plus. Memorable waves were Brock Little's crazy tuberide, and the perfect score by Richard Schmidt for his magic carpet drop. Event was ultimately won by Keone Downing.

1995/1996 - Event runs on Dec. 29. Only one of two rounds was held, with no declared winner.

1997/1998 - A large swell came in January. The waves were over 30 feet, which was deemed too big, and ironically and the event didn't go.

1998/1999 - The event ran on New Year's day. Noah Johnson, the smallest surfer in the event at 5'3", was unstoppable on a day of cartoonish proportions.

2000/2001 - The event ran on January 12. Ross Clarke-Jones, an invitee since the beginning of the event at Waimea finally got his just reward in 20-foot plus.

2001/2002 - The event ran in January. Kelly Slater proved that his supreme status is not limited to the world tour.

2004/2005 - The event ran on December 15, just 9 days into the holding period. Booming 25-plus and a maximum capacity crowd for the 20th anniversary event. Bruce Irons won with his ride to the shore which culminated in a mind-blowing, crowd roaring closeout barrel.

Eddie Aikau

Eddie Aikau was bron on Maui in 1946. He began surfing at 11, and moved to Oahu in 1959. Eddie was a direct descendant of Kahuna Nui Hewahewa, the highest priest of Hawaii in the early 1800s. Hewahewa retired to Waimea Valley later that century, taking up the role of caretaker of Waimea Valley, from the mountains to the sea. 100 years later, Aikau picked up the family torch as caretaker of the Bay - its first official lifeguard.

His big debut at Waimea Bay came in 1966, when photos of him were published in Life Magazine that year. In 1969, Bank of America used Aikau in a nationwide billboard campaign.

In 1977 Eddie won the Duke Kahanamoku Classic, beating surfing greats Mark Richards, Rabbit Bartholomew, Dane Kealoha, Bobby Owens and Rory Russell. Eddie was also a 6-time finalist in the Duke event between 1966 and 1974. Eddie was ranked 12th in the world in 1977

Eddie's Legacy

By the mid-'70s, Eddie's passion for big wave riding was not his only driving force. The Hawaiian cultural renaissance was in full swing and Aikau was feeling the pull to dig deeper into the roots of his Hawaiian heritage. Following his win of the Duke Kahanamoku Invitational at Sunset Beach in the winter of 1977, his focus shifted to the Hokule'a.

A traditional double-hull voyaging canoe that was the symbol of Hawaiian pride, the Hokule'a represented the cultural connection that Hawaiians were seeking at the time. Eddie was selected to be part of the crew who would sail Hokule'a by traditional celestial navigation from Hawaii to Tahiti in March of 1978. It was to be a 30-day, 2,500 mile voyage across the Pacific, following the ancient route of Polynesian migration.

The Hokule'a set sail on the stormy afternoon of March 16, 1978, in strong winds that were whipping up heavy seas. Not far into the journey, Hokule'a developed a leak in one of her hulls, later capsizing during the night in the Moloka'i Channel. After weathering the night, and with the physical state of crewmembers deteriorating, Aikau insisted upon paddling for the Hawaiian island of Lana'i, estimated to be some 19 miles away. It would be the final rescue attempt of his life. While the crew aboard Hokule'a were later spotted by a passing plane and rescued, Aikau was never seen again. He was two months shy of his 32nd birthday.

North Shore history.

Modern-day surfing on the North Shore began in the early 40s, but Hawaiian legend tells of surfers centuries earlier.

Hawaiians settled in the Waialua and Ko'olauloa Districts along the North Shore around 1100 AD and established villages along valleys, streams, and bays. Drawn to the area by the rich ocean waters and fertile lands dotted with natural springs, they grew taro and sweet potato. Oahu and the North Shore region became home to ancient Hawaiian communities that thrived at ocean/land/river junctures such as the Anahulu River and Waimea Valley. In ancient times, the Hawaiians divided land into ahupua'a - natural divisions from the mountains, through river valleys, to the sea that contained everything necessary for sustaining life.

In 1832, Christian missionaries came to Waialua District and built a mission and girls seminary in Hale'iwa. The town was expanded by wealthy businessman Benjamin J. Dillingham at the end of the 19th century when he built the Hale'iwa Hotel.

Prior to the close of the 11th century, the ahupua'a of Waimea was given to the kahuna (priest) of O'ahu by Kamapua'a, O'ahu's ruling chief of the time. Waimea Valley remained home to the High Priest of O'ahu for over 600 years. The last was Hewahewa - the Kahuna nui under the reign of Kamehameha I. After the death of Kamehameha I, leadership of the Islands fell into the hands of Ka'ahumanu, the third of Kamehameha's wives. Together, Ka'ahumanu and Hewahewa brought an end to the ancient kapu system of Hawaii (system of laws based upon taboos, particular prohibitions, sacred ways and multiple gods). Hewahewa retired to Waimea Valley.

The first Westerners to land on O'ahu came ashore at Waimea Bay in 1779, aboard Captain Cook's ship and briefly anchored to replenish fresh water supplies after Cook's death on the Big Island. The crew recorded that the area around Waimea River was "well cultivated and full of villages and the face of the country is uncommonly beautiful and picturesque".

The first Western settlement came in 1832, when Protestant missionaries Reverend John and Ursula Emerson, arrived in the Waialua District. Aboard the Thaddeus, the Emersons put in at Waialua Bay at the mouth of the Anahulu River, where the Anahulu (or Hale'iwa) Bridge is found today. They went on to establish Emerson House and a Protestant church in the heart of the village and Hewahewa became a regular visitor to the church. Today, that church is known as the Queen Liliu'okalani Protestant Church, named after Hawaii's last queen who vacationed in Hale'iwa at the royal summer home and worshiped at the church. It is located on Main Street in Haleiwa.

In 1837 with the death of Hewahewa, whose bones remain at Waimea Valley, the rule of the kahuna nui (most high priest) came to a close. In the mid-1800s, the ancient kahuna land system was overthrown in a great land division known as the 'Great Mahele'.

The western system of land titles and deeds signaled the start of private land ownership, but not before Hewahewa's granddaughter, Paalua, successfully claimed one-half of Waimea Valley lands. With private ownership came the sugar cane and pineapple plantations, which dominated the economy for 100 years. Pineapple and diversified agriculture continue along the North Shore today.

In 1898, visionary businessman Benjamin Dillingham - a promoter of real estate and railways, opened Hawai'i's finest hotel. It was a grand Victorian hotel he name the "Hale'iwa", which means "house of the 'iwa", or frigate bird, and was situated where 'Hale'iwa Joe's' restaurant stands today. Dillingham felt the frigate bird best exemplified the ambience he wanted to create for the hotel. Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the Haleiwa hotel was part of a bigger plan for Dillingham. It rested at the end of the line of his railroad that serviced the sugar plantations and enabled him to further capitalize on his investment. Dillingham was also the director of Waialua Sugar Co.