Confirmed: The First Ever Women’s Big Wave Event At Waimea

After a false start last year, the Queen of The Bay, the north shore’s first ever women big wave surf comp, looks set to run this October.

‘The inaugural event honors Queen Ka’ahumanu, the first Kuhina Nui, a powerful office in the Kingdom of Hawai’i from 1819 to 1864 as well as other powerful Hawaiian Women who redefined the perceived roles of Women.’ said Red Bull in a press release. ‘In this spirit we wish to sit at the table, to humbly showcase the raw beauty found in the giant surf of Waimea Bay, and to demonstrate the strength and grace of the Women who ride her waves.’

Waimea, the ancestral home of global big wave surfing, will serve as a unique playground for the women to demonstrate their skill, style, courage and passion.

Red Bull are also welcoming on board non-profit partners, the SeaHawaii Foundation. The foundation is a Native Hawaiian owned and operated company whose goal is to bring awareness of the sensitivity of the environmental and ecological changes to our oceans. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of SeaHawaii Apparel and Ocean tours benefits the SeaHawaii Foundation funding grants for Hawaii High School students who are interested in continuing education in the Marine Science field.

The list of invitees are as follows:

Makani Adric (Hawaii)
Paige Alms (Hawaii)
Jessica Anderson (Chile)
Joana Andrade (Portugal)
Justine Dupont (France)
Emily Erickson (Hawaii)
Michaela Fregonese (Brazil)
Sarah Gerhardt (USA)
Brittany Gomulka (USA)
Claudia Goncalves (Brazil)
Tayla Hanak (Australia)
Raquel Heckert (Brazil)
Keala Kennelly (Hawaii)
Sheila Lee (USA)
Blake Lefkoe (USA)
Andrea Moller (Brazil)
Remi Nealon (Hawaii)
Kelta O’Rourke (Hawaii)
Nicole Pacelli (Brazil)
Felicity Palmateer (Australia)
Emilia Perry (Hawaii)
Polly Ralda (Guatemala)
Gypsy Ann Russ (USA)
Momo Sakuma (Japan)
Kiyomi Sheppard (Japan)
Tammy Lee Smith (South Africa)
Jamilah Star (USA)
Jenny Useldinger (USA)
Bianca Valenti (USA)
Shakira Westdorp (AUS)