Kaua'i's Andy Irons has accepted an invitation to compete as a sponsor's wildcard in the Billabong Pro Teahupoo men's surfing contest next week.

Irons, a three-time former world champion, is on a sabbatical from the ASP World Tour in 2009, so this will be his first contest appearance of the year.

"Life off tour has been a lot more active than I thought it was going to be," Irons said. "In a way, I think it's been more hectic than before, but it's all new stuff."

Irons said he has spent most of the year traveling around the world for surf trips, award shows, surf films, and promotional work for Billabong and other sponsors.

"It sounds like a lot, but it's been good for me to see that there is a life away from tour, and there are a lot of swells I want to chase down before the year is over," he said.

The Billabong Pro Teahupoo is one of the most respected events on the world tour because of the treacherous waves at Teahupoo, Tahiti. Irons won it in 2002.

"Tahiti has always been a special place to me for both the waves and the people there," he said. "I have already been there once this year so far, and am psyched to be heading back to spend some time catching up with all the boys. I'm hoping we finally get some solid swell for the whole event."

Hawai'i surfers Dustin Barca, Kekoa Bacalso, Fred Patacchia Jr. and Roy Powers are also in the contest as members of the 2009 World Tour.

The contest will run on the three best days between Sunday and May 20. It is the third of 10 events on the 2009 tour.

HO PLACES SECOND IN CONTEST AT PORTUGAL

Coco Ho of Sunset Beach had a near-perfect wave in the final, but it was not enough to win the Estoril Billabong Girls Pro contest last weekend at Estoril, Portugal.

Ho placed second to Australian Sally Fitzgibbons. Ho received a score of 9.8 (out of 10) late in the heat, but Fitzgibbons responded with a 9.85.

Carissa Moore of Honolulu tied for third place. Ho defeated Moore in the semifinals in a battle of teen phenoms. Ho is 17; Moore is 16.

The contest was part of the Women's World Qualifying Series.

PADDLEBOARD RACE AT WAIKIKI TOMORROW

The Second Annual Waterman Paddleboard Relay is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow at Waikiki Beach (fronting the Duke's Waikiki restaurant).

The event will feature races for traditional paddleboards and stand-up paddleboards (SUP).

Each team must have three paddlers, and they take turns paddling around a 600-meter course until 12 laps are completed. There will be various age divisions for males and females.