The opening ceremony for The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, presented by Rip Curl and The Eddie Aikau Foundation, was held at Waimea Bay Beach Park on Friday, Dec. 5.
The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, affectionately called “The Eddie,” is held in memory of Eddie Aikau, a well-known waterman who was a lifeguard on North Shore where he saved hundreds of people over his career, according to the invitational’s website. The contest runs only if wave face heights consistently reach 40 feet at Waimea Bay during the holding period, which is Dec. 7 to March 6 this year.
The conditions necessary to call The Eddie are such that there have only been 11 competitions in its 41-year history, according to the Eddie Aikau Foundation.
The opening ceremony included a paddle out and ocean blessing, as well as a pule by Rocky Naeole and performances from keiki of Pūnana Leo o Waialua and Kumu Ka'ulamealani Diamond and her halau. It also included competitor introductions and programming from the Royal Order of Kamehameha I and Kahu Laiana Wong.
Earlier this year, surfing legend Clyde Aikau, who was Eddie Aikau’s brother, died in May after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He won the second competition of The Eddie, held in 1986. His son, Ha’a Aikau, is an invitee for the competition this year.
In 2024, the winner of the competition was Landon McNamara, who is an invitee this year. Other past winners who are invited to be part of this year’s line-up include: Ross Clarke-Jones (2001), Kelly Slater (2002), John John Florence (2016) and Luke Shepardson (2023). Women surfed for the first time in The Eddie in January of 2023. This year, the competition includes the following invitees, listed on Rip Curl’s website:
- Ha’a Aikau
- Grant “Twiggy" Baker
- Russell Bierke
- Joey Cadiz
- Lucas "Chumbo" Chianca
- Ross Clarke-Jones
- Matahi Drollet
- Justine Dupont
- Emily Erickson
- John John Florence
- Nathan Florence
- Aaron Gold
- Mark Healey
- Mason Ho
- Chad Keaulana
- Billy Kemper
- Ezekiel Lau
- Kai Lenny
- Jake Maki
- Landon McNamara
- Torrey Meister
- Jamie Mitchell
- Jamie O’Brien
- Eli Olson
- Annie Reickert
- Koa Rothman
- Makua Rothman
- Nic von Rupp
- Luke Shepardson
- Kelly Slater
- Eala Stewart
- Bianca Valenti
For more information, including the list of alternates, go to: theeddieaikau.com.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
