Eddie Aikau

Thousands of surf fans have descended upon Oahu's North Shore Sunday, for the tenth running of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational surf contest at Waimea Bay.

One of the world's most prestigious and storied surfing contests went forward in Hawaii for the first time in seven years.

This year organizers have invited 40 competitors and 18 alternates from around the world, including Kelly Slater, who has won a record 11 world surfing titles. We’re surfing in the spirit of Eddie,’ ” Coleman said. Just hours out of port, the giant double-hulled canoe known as the Hokulea took on water and overturned in stormy weather. But author Stuart Coleman says The Eddie is distinguished by how it honors Eddie Aikau, a legendary Native Hawaiian waterman, for his selflessness, courage and sacrifice. One huge wave swept onto the beach and hit a family, sweeping a baby under a house, but the child was not injured, The event — alternatively known simply as The Eddie — is a one-day contest held in Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore only when the surf is consistently large enough during the winter big-wave surfing season from mid-December through mid-March.

Surfers Kai Lenny, left, Aaron Gold, are cheered on by Jake Maki at Waimea Bay during the 2023 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational surf contest today. JAMM AQUINO ...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy)and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms)apply. [click here for curated live tweets Opens in a new tab](https://twitter.com/StarAdvertiser/timelines/1617213890659778560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) of the contest from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. [• ](https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/01/22/hawaii-news/women-join-men-in-the-lineup-for-historic-eddie-surf-contest/) [Women join men in the lineup for historic ‘Eddie’ surf contest](https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/01/22/hawaii-news/women-join-men-in-the-lineup-for-historic-eddie-surf-contest/) [• ](https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/01/21/hawaii-news/traffic-to-be-difficult-at-best-during-eddie-surf-contest-on-oahu/) [Traffic to be ‘difficult at best’ during ‘Eddie’ surf contest at Waimea](https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/01/21/hawaii-news/traffic-to-be-difficult-at-best-during-eddie-surf-contest-on-oahu/) [• ](https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/01/21/breaking-news/high-surf-warning-issued-as-eddie-worthy-waves-approach/) [High surf warning extended as Eddie-worthy waves arrive](https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/01/21/breaking-news/high-surf-warning-issued-as-eddie-worthy-waves-approach/) [• ](https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/01/19/sports/sports-breaking/the-eddie-is-a-go-for-sunday/) [‘The Eddie’ is a go for Sunday](https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/01/19/sports/sports-breaking/the-eddie-is-a-go-for-sunday/) [Terms of Service](https://www.staradvertiser.com/about/terms-of-service/)and [Privacy Policy](https://www.staradvertiser.com/about/privacy-policy/). ‘The Eddie’ was last run on Feb. [Huge waves draw large crowd and surfers to ‘The Eddie’ at Waimea Bay](https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/01/22/photo-gallery/huge-waves-draw-large-crowd-and-surfers-to-the-eddie-at-waimea-bay/)

FILE - Participants in the Eddie Aikau surfing contest walk out of the ocean at sunset after the opening ceremony in Waimea Bay near Haleiwa, Hawaii, on Nov. 30 ...

Kathleen Pahinui, the chairperson of the North Shore Neighborhood Board, said it will be good for businesses, restaurants and shops. Just hours out of port, the giant double-hulled canoe known as the Hokulea took on water and overturned in stormy weather. This year organizers have invited 40 competitors and 18 alternates from around the world, including Kelly Slater, who has won a record 11 world surfing titles. But author Stuart Coleman says The Eddie is distinguished by how it honors Eddie Aikau, a legendary Native Hawaiian waterman, for his selflessness, courage and sacrifice. Before this year, conditions have only aligned for it to be held nine times since the initial competition in 1984. The event — alternatively known simply as The Eddie — is a one-day contest held in Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore only when the surf is consistently large enough during the winter big wave surfing season from mid-December through mid-March.

One of the world's most prestigious and storied surfing contests went forward in Hawaii for the first time in seven years.

We’re surfing in the spirit of Eddie,' ” Coleman said. This year organizers have invited 40 competitors and 18 alternates from around the world, including Kelly Slater, who has won a record 11 world surfing titles. Just hours out of port, the giant double-hulled canoe known as the Hokulea took on water and overturned in stormy weather. But author Stuart Coleman says The Eddie is distinguished by how it honors Eddie Aikau, a legendary Native Hawaiian waterman, for his selflessness, courage and sacrifice. One huge wave swept onto the beach and hit a family, sweeping a baby under a house, but the child was not injured, Hawaii News Now reported. The event — alternatively known simply as The Eddie — is a one-day contest held in Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore only when the surf is consistently large enough during the winter big-wave surfing season from mid-December through mid-March.

The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational became official on Sunday morning.

HONOLULU (AP) — One of the world's most prestigious and storied surfing contests — dubbed the “Super Bowl of Surfing” — went forward Sunday in Hawaii for ...

This year organizers have invited 40 competitors and 18 alternates from around the world, including Kelly Slater, who has won a record 11 world surfing titles. We’re surfing in the spirit of Eddie,′ ” Coleman said. Just hours out of port, the giant double-hulled canoe known as the Hokulea took on water and overturned in stormy weather. But author Stuart Coleman says The Eddie is distinguished by how it honors Eddie Aikau, a legendary Native Hawaiian waterman, for his selflessness, courage and sacrifice. One huge wave swept onto the beach and hit a family, sweeping a baby under a house, but the child was not injured, The event — alternatively known simply as The Eddie — is a one-day contest held in Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore only when the surf is consistently large enough during the winter big-wave surfing season from mid-December through mid-March.

North Shore lifeguard triumphs over 39 big-wave heavyweights to win the 10th ever Eddie Aikau Invitational.

[ Jan 18, 2023](https://stabmag.com/stabcinema/how-surfers-get-paid-episode-5/) [ Jan 18, 2023](https://stabmag.com/stabcinema/ryan-callinan-in-beneath-a-pear-tree/) [ Jan 19, 2023](https://stabmag.com/stabcinema/was-it-worth-chasing-californias-decade-swell/) [ Jan 22, 2023](https://stabmag.com/stabcinema/one-for-marcio-albee-layers-tribute-to-mad-dog/) Buoy readings this morning read 29ft at 19 secs, and saw the Waimea channel close out countless times throughout the day. Luke Shepardson, a North Shore native and City Council lifeguard has taken out the 10th Eddie Aikau Invitational.

Some 50000 fans crowded into Waimea Bay for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, held in frightening conditions. Fittingly, it was a local charged with ...

To actually be here, paddle out there and be out there with five of my other surfing sisters, you’re watching history in the making.” “But our ultimate hero was Eddie. it was one of the biggest honours of my life. “It was super scary, the waves were huge and it was a dream come true just to be part of The Eddie, just to be on the alternate list. Among a series of hair-raising rides by the likes of Shepardson, 56-year-old Australian legend Ross Clarke-Jones, local Billy Kemper and wave of the day winner Zeke Lau, there was history and havoc in equal measure. The child was washed under the footings of a nearby home, but was quickly retrieved and given a clean bill of health by emergency medical services soon after.

John John Florence, the winner of the event in 2016 and Sunday's runner-up, earned $8,000. Prize money for The Eddie varies every event, as Florence won $75,000 ...

A Honolulu City Council lifeguard has unexpectedly claimed the prestigious The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay in Hawaii.

"I can't believe it - it's crazy. The bay has once again called the day, and the tenth The Eddie Aikau Invitational champion has been crowned in unforgettable 50-60-foot waves. Andrea Moller became the first surfer to compete at The Eddie after paddling out for the first heat of the day. "It was super scary. The waves were huge, and it was a dream come true just to be part of The Eddie, just to be on the alternate list." Luke Shepardson has taken out The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay in Hawaii.

History was made yesterday at the 'Oscars of big wave surfing' on Oahu's North Shore, The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. Packed crowds made the ...

Former champ, John John Florence, demonstrated why he is inarguably a cemented Royal of The North Shore, his smooth rides claiming second place, with Mark Healey taking third. [Keala Kennelly](https://wavelengthmag.com/drop-in-sessions-episode-one-keala-kennelly/) made history when she was the first woman to ever be invited to the Eddie some years back, and yesterday, along with fellow legends Andrea Moller, Emi Erickson, Justine duPont, Paige Alms and Makani Adric, iconic women of the waves took their rightful place in the lineup to ringing cheers from the crowd. [Steph Gilmore](https://wavelengthmag.com/drop-in-sessions-episode-9-steph-gilmore/), playing witness to the historic and emotional moment whereby women would paddle out for the first time ever with the men. After a respectful delay whilst the status’ of Billy and Kala were awaited, the individual prize was awarded to Benji Brand, with an on-fire Nathan Florence in second, also nursing an injury from a few days earlier a mammoth set at Jaws claimed a lumbar compression – Ouch! With the surf big enough for the event to run (a colossal 40 feet or thereabouts in Hawaiian measurements), conditions have only been sweet enough and prevailed on 9 previous occasions. History was made yesterday at the ‘Oscars of big wave surfing’ on Oahu’s North Shore, The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational.

After a seven-year break in the action, The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is back on! The surf is supposed to be epic this weekend with ideal wind and ...

Since big wave surfing’s inception, Mavericks, Nazaré, Waimea and Jaws have been the world’s premier big wave breaks, but Twiggy and Ian sought to change that with an excursion to the northern west coast of South Africa. Freire has been on the big wave scene for decades and is considered one of the pioneers of surfing Jaws, one of Hawai’i’s most formidable big wave spots. Aikau was a beloved waterman on the island, and he and his brother competed together in big wave competitions up until his death in 1978.

North Shore lifeguard honored Eddie Aikau in the best possible way, winning the invitational in dramatic fashion as giant waves slammed into Oahu.

It was a dream come true to be part of it, to just be on the alternate list, and then to be in it. It was a fitting end to the Eddie Aikau Invitational, a contest honoring one of Oahu’s most inspirational lifeguards. The waves weren’t small, by any stretch: estimates were in the 40-50-foot range.

It's tough to scare a GOAT. But sometimes, event GOATs aren't feeling it. That's the main reason Kelly Slater gave up his Eddie Aikau spot this year.

But the gesture to give his spot to a first timer was pretty spot on. The ocean will always be there. Apparently KS wasn’t feeling it on a day the waves went 40-50 feet on the face.

The 11x world surf champion, multiple-time Pipeline Master, star of In Black and White has basically done it all, including winning an Eddie Aikau Invitational ...

He has stood as a guiding light for the younger generation of by-hand board builders, of which I find myself a part, for 70 years. There isn’t enough room for Mary to sleep in the trailer with their special needs daughter and Pat, so she’s been making her bed in the back of the Tahoe for the past year. That’s what you call youthful optimism and maybe even a naive eagerness to fix a problem without fully grasping the intricacies of a unique situation. When I learned of this, I instantly called some friends in the SoCal area to try to find him some space. But when we are in moments of dire need, when we’ve exhausted all viable options on our own, it is through simple acts of honest vulnerability that we can open ourselves to the inherent kindness in each human being’s heart. I made my way over to the car slowly and in, I’ll admit, a certain degree of disbelief. I realized at some point that I was dehydrated and a bit dizzy, standing there baking in the sun, still wearing my wetsuit. Pat has been in urgent need of dental surgery for the past 6 months, which they cannot afford. As I’ve grown to better understand the depth of Pat’s indomitable spirit and determination to continue building boards, regardless of age, multiple near death experiences over the past year, a pandemic, lack of proper space and materials and finances, the effect has been both inspiring and difficult to accept. There, in the front seat of a Tahoe, was an old man, with a white beard and a matted, thick head of hair. An 87-year-old Pat Curren stepped from the car, and we shook hands. This past January, I hopped on a flight for a quick trip to California.

Waimea Bay in Hawaii finally delivered conditions fit for one of the world's most elusive surfing events. A local lifeguard beat out the top pro surfers for ...

“I’ve got to get back to the tower,” Shepardson said after a brief celebration. Of a possible 90 points, Shepardson scored 89.1, enough to collect the $10,000 prize. Then there were the surfers who skipped down the face of a wave like stones on a pond, and others who somersaulted over the lip. “It felt incredible to surf in this event,” Kai Lenny, a top big-wave surfer, said before the awards ceremony. Moller and Kennelly were two of the six women invited to compete, along with six alternates. Others successfully navigated a steep vertical drop only to be consumed by a wall of white water that sucked them into the world’s most turbulent washing machine. Andrea Moller of Brazil became the first woman to catch a wave at the Eddie, six years after He was part of a canoe voyage retracing the ancient Polynesian migration route between Hawaii and Tahiti in 1978. Others walked miles to get a glimpse of the action. Anticipation was especially high after the event was set for Jan. Shepardson competed during breaks from his lifeguard job, returning to the tower between heats. Waimea Bay in Hawaii finally delivered conditions fit for one of the world’s most elusive surfing events.

Luke Shepardson claims victory in Hawaii competition, which is only held when waves at Waimea Bay consistently reach 30ft or bigger.

“It felt incredible to surf in this event,” Kai Lenny, a top big-wave surfer, who finished in fifth place. Anticipation that The Eddie would run this year had been building for over a week, with the contest briefly given the go-ahead before being put on hold. Clyde now supervises the event, which for the first time this year saw a woman, Brazil’s Andrea Moller, catch a wave, six years after female surfers were first named as alternate competitors. Aikau saved more than 500 people during his career but during a journey in 1978 re-enacting an ancient route of Polynesian migration between Hawaii and Tahiti, the voyaging canoe he was aboard capsized. Shepardson, 27, scored 89.1 points out of a possible 90 to claim the title and $10,000 prize money. The event was first run in celebration of his life in 1985 at Sunset Beach and has been held just nine times since.