It’s a magnificent thing to grow up on the North Shore of Oahu, having every kind of wave imaginable within minutes of each other. It’s what makes the 7-Mile Miracle the most unique, most versatile stretch of coast in the world. It’s conceivably the most powerful, too. And among the manifold of world-class waves in the region, Waimea Bay is perhaps the most glorified big-wave spots for its unequaled force and sheer omnipotence.
Every year, Quiksilver opens up roughly a three-month window during the middle of winter, hoping wave heights meet or exceed the Hawaiian standard of 20 feet, which is required to run The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Big-Wave Invitational. The event last ran in 2009, and it has been completed just eight times since its inception in 1984. Could this year be it? Will we see the most prestigious event in surfing in 2016? With this year’s excessive activity in the North Pacific, it just may be.
Mark Healey and Shane Dorian paddled into this bomb one day before The Eddie in 2009. It is said to be the biggest wave ever paddled in the Bay. Photo: Brad Masters
Despite the extensive works of literature that seek to suggest this year will be it, we still remain at the mercy of the unpredictability of Mother Nature. Nonetheless, you can bet your ass the 2015/2016 invitees and alternates are preparing every single day in case the contest is given the green light. Featured in the video above is North Shore local and 2015/16 Eddie alternate Koa Rothman dropping vertically into a massive wave over the weekend. Let’s cross our fingers for that green light, folks.
The 2015/2016 invitees:
Aaron Gold, Albee Layer, Bruce Irons, Clyde Aikau, Dave Wassel, Garrett McNamara, Grant Baker, Greg Long, Ian Walsh, Jamie Mitchell, Jamie O’Brien, Jeremy Flores, John John Florence, Kala Alexander, Kelly Slater, Kohl Christensen, Makua Rothman, Mark Healey, Nathan Fletcher, Noah Johnson, Peter Mel, Ramon Navarro, Reef McIntosh, Ross Clarke-Jones, Shane Dorian, Sunny Garcia and Takayuki Wakita.
Official alternates:
Mason Ho (Aikau Pick), Danilo Couto, Mark Matthews, Koa Rothman, Ben Wilkinson, Jamie Sterling, Billy Kemper, Shawn Dollar, Carlos Burle, Kealii Mamala, Gabriel Villaran, Michael Ho, Kai Lenny, Kahea Hart, Nathan Florence, Damien Hobgood, Kalani Chapman, Ryan Hipwood, Danny Fuller, Nic Lamb, Anthony Tashnick, Rusty Long, Derek Dunfee and Brock Little.
Event past winners:
1985/1986 : Denton Miyamura (Haw), 1986/1987 : Clyde Aikau (Haw), 1989/1990 : Keone Downing (Haw), 1998/1999 : Noah Johnson (Haw), 2000/2001 : Ross Clarke-Jones (Aus), 2004/2005 : Bruce Irons (Haw), 2001/2002 : Kelly Slater (USA) and 2009/2010 : Greg Long (USA)
