August 23-29, 2009- After 13 years in Costa Rica, the Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Longboard Classic is moving to Waikiki, the hometown of its namesake luminary, Albert “Rabbit” Kekai, August 23 to 29, 2009.

As Kekai, surf legend and original Outrigger Boys Club member, prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday, women’s surf brand Gidget Worldwide, Inc and classic surf brand Toes on the Nose is relocating the 14th annual “Rabbit Classic” to Toes’ famed team rider’s stomping grounds.

“It only made sense to bring the Rabbit home,” said Henry Ford, the Special Events and Promotions Director with Gidget Worldwide, Inc.

In conjunction with The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation’s OceanFest 2009, the Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Longboard Classic will be a featured event bringing authentic surfing roots to the celebration. The pairing is bittersweet, as Kekai is one of the last living Beach Boys and friends of Duke Kahanamoku.

The tournament will feature two points-rated PLA- and ASP-sanctioned world-class events: the men’s Toes on the Nose longboard event — a Grade 2 LQS event with a $10,000 purse; and the women’s Gidget Open Pro event — a Grade 5 women’s LQS boasting an $8,000 purse.

“It’s great to have the event come full circle,” said Randy Rarick, Executive Director of the Vans Triple Crown and surfboard shaper. “It’s back to surfing’s roots. It’s back to where it all started.”

Seen as a gathering of the tribes, the event pulls traditional longboarders from around the world. With more than 15 countries represented at last year’s event this year, with the more easily accessible location, is expected to draw even more. As some of the world’s top surfers make their rounds in the ASP circuit, many plan to hit the Rabbit Classic.

“Rabbit is a god in Waikiki,” added Richard Allred, Toes on the Nose president. “The event is all about celebrating Rabbit and his legacy; we are honored to bring the Rabbit Classic to where it all began.”

CONTEST HIGHLIGHTS:

• AUGUST 23:
  Ho‘omana Ceremony- Duke’s OceanFest opens at the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa.
  
• AUGUST 24:
  Duke Kahanamoku Sunrise Blessing- Duke’s 119th birthday is honored with a traditional blessing at his statue.
  
• AUGUST25th:
  6-8pm: Private dinner for all competitors at Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber
  8pm: Concert- Sashamon live! Open to the public
  
• AUGUST 25 – 28 : Four days of exciting ocean sports competitions get underway.
  Hawaiian Airlines Duke’s Legends Surf Classic – Sponsored teams of amateurs surf with the sport’s legends at Queen’s Surf in this competition that is run like a pro-style surf meet, complete with heats, judges, public address announcer, and exhibit booths.
  Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Pro Longboard Classic – This international competition has surfers competing for a $10,000 purse. Register by e-mailing ASP Hawaii.
  This is a special contest. Back in the 30's in Waikiki, Duke Kahanamoku became Rabbit Kekai's mentor and taught him to improve his surfing and outrigger canoeing skills.
  Gidget Open Pro: Women’s Longboard – The world’s best women longboarders compete to be queen of Queen’s Surf and a purse of $7,500. Register by e-mailing ASP Hawaii.
  Corona Extra Noseriding Invitational– Surfers show their board-riding skills on the waves of Waikiki.
  Senor Frog’s ITSA/ISA Waveofgooddeeds.com Tandem World Title – This competition shows that a duet on the board is better than going solo.
  Hawaii Paddleboard Championship presented by Outrigger Hotels & Resorts – “Duke’s Race” challenges paddle boarders in this sprint from Hawaii Kai to Duke’s Statue.
  C4 Waterman Stand-Up Beach Boy Paddle Surfing – This exciting competition showcases one of the most popular forms of ocean sports with today’s athletes.
  Duke’s Waikiki Ocean Mile Swim – This open ocean sprint along the Waikiki shoreline attracts hundreds of swimmers, many from the U.S. mainland.
  Corona Extra Beach Volleyball Classic – Four-person teams compete on Kuhio Beach in this daylong tournament.
  Surf Polo Tournament – Six-person teams play water polo – on surfboards!
  AccesSurf Challenged Athlete Surfing – This inspiring competition shows the therapeutic benefits of surfing for the physically challenged.
  Waterman Challenge – Teams of waterman compete vigorously in this relay race of swimming, stand-up paddle boarding and canoe paddling.
  Beach Boys Celebration at Duke’s Waikiki – Waikiki’s famed beach boys and old friends of Duke gather to swap stories at Duke’s Waikiki restaurant.
• AUGUST 26, 6PM – TOES ON THE NOSE RABBIT KEKAI AUTOGRAPH SIGNING PARTY
  A protégé of Duke Kahanamoku who grew up in Waikiki, Rabbit Kekai
  popularized hot-dogging on short boards and was a master canoe paddler.
  Location: Hotel Renew Lobby, 129 Paoakalani Avenue, Waikiki
• AUGUST 29: Duke’s OceanFest wraps up with two special events.
  Lei Draping of Duke’s Statue – A sidewalk surfboard parade leads to the decorating of Duke’s Statue with beautiful fresh flower lei.
  The Great Hawaiian 105 KINE Luau – Great times, great food and the music of Hawaii! For tickets, call (808) 545-4880.
  Major sponsors of Duke’s OceanFest include Hawaiian Airlines, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, Duke’s Waikiki, C4 Waterman, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, Hilton Grand Vacations Club, Corona Extra, Island Heritage, Hawaiian 105 KINE, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, and the City and County of Honolulu.

Duke Kahanamoku is widely regarded as Hawaii’s greatest athlete, having won six Olympic medals – including three gold medals in swimming – from 1912 to 1932. He was also the first person inducted into both the International Swimming Hall of Fame (1965) and International Surfing Hall of Fame (1966).

Duke was instrumental in popularizing the sport of surfing around the world. Later in life, he was appointed to the position of being Hawaii’s official “Ambassador of Aloha.”

ODKF is a public nonprofit foundation created with the mission to financially support the development of individuals and organizations perpetuating the spirit and legacy of Duke Kahanamoku.

Volleyball At Duke's OceanFest
Corona Presents
US Open of Beach Volleyball Men’s Open Qualifying Event
at Duke’s Oceanfest 2009

Noted for his waterman legacy, Duke is also recognized for bringing the sport of “beach volleyball” to the beaches of Santa Monica in the early 30s. This introduction blossomed the sport to its Olympic stature of today. As a tribute to Duke’s involvement with the game of beach volleyball, Corona Extra, a major sponsor of the Duke’s Oceanfest as well as the Presenting Sponsor of the US Open of Beach Volleyball, will support a US Open of Beach Volleyball (Men’s Open Division) Qualifying Event in conjunction with the 2009 Duke’s Oceanfest. A 16 team draw on Saturday, August 29th @ Kuhio Beach, pits the best of the best Men’s Open teams from the Hawaiian Islands in a quest to earn a berth and travel accommodations into the 2009 US Open of Beach Volleyball - Manhattan Beach, CA. - September 25-27. Entry is open to all qualified men’s open teams. All teams wishing to enter must contact Randy Morris @ 808-389-7633. Over 35 Qualifying events will take place throughout the United States this year. Qualifying teams from all divisions are competing to earn a spot in the 3rd Annual US Open of Beach Volleyball – sanctioned by USA Volleyball. For more information visit www.usopenbeachvolleyball.com or contact Tip Nunn @ 303-526-0994

* Events not confirmed as of press time.