The Eddie Aikau Opening Ceremony isn’t just about the contest. Photo: Rip Curl
December 5, 2025, marked the official start of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational’s three-month holding period. Competitors, spectators, sponsors, and the Eddie Aikau Foundation members and family gathered for the opening ceremony at Waimea Bay. The 32 athletes and alternates were introduced and received a traditional Hawaiian blessing from members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I.
According to the the Eddie rules, the contest will only run if waves at Waimea Bay sustain a consistent height of 40 feet. As a result, the competition has only run 11 times in its 41-year history. So will it run this year for the third consecutive season? That’s tough to say. But it didn’t stop me from asking competitors and alternates to give me their predictions on whether or not Mother Nature would cooperate to help “the Bay call the day!”
Emily Erickson (Competitor)
Sunset Beach, Oahu
I don’t know if it’s going to run this year, but there’s always a possibility. If it did run for three years, that would be historic and really cool. Sometimes I get a feeling for it, but it’s hard to say with any certainty. I’d say 50/50 this year. I felt it last year for sure, but this year I don’t know. But I think we’re going to get other really good, fun swells and a little bit more frequent good days.
Koa Smith (Alternate)
Kilauea, Kauai
It’s unpredictable whether it will run or not, but the last few years have been really strong weather and big waves. A lot needs to come together, but it’s likely that it will happen. It kind of has that feeling this year. It’s already started so early, so I feel like something big is coming.
Paige Alms (Alternate)
Haiku, Maui
When do I think the Eddie will run? I guess when the Bay calls the day. Hopefully picture-perfect giant, big swell like the last two.
Bianca Valenti (Competitor)
San Francisco, California
I’m going to stay hopeful that the Bay will call the day, but I think that’s a stretch because it’s run the last two times in a row. But I want to stay hopeful, so I’m going to say 51 percent chance.
Joey Cadiz (Competitor//North Shore Lifeguard)
North Shore, Oahu
I feel like it’s definitely a high likelihood that the Eddie will run this year based on what we’ve gotten already. It’s an early winter. I would guess, I’m a January kind of guy – it’s mid-season and things start really cooking. So, I’m really hopeful that in January we’ll start seeing some big, big swells. The conditions will determine the day, but I anticipate it just being bigger and bigger and gnarlier and gnarlier.
Tiare Lawrence (Alternate)
Lahaina, Maui
There’s a good chance the Eddie’s going to run this year; we’ll see. If it runs, you know it’s going to be big. They’re only going to run it when it’s good and it’s safe. I mean, maybe not so safe, but when it’s not nuking wind. You can bank on the conditions being good because when the Bay calls the day, she calls the day.
Anne Dos Santos (Alternate)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I’m really looking forward to the Eddie running hopefully this year. Until then, I’ll just be training and getting ready. If Eddie wants it to run, I think it will run.
Kala Grace (Alternate)
North Shore, Oahu
Who knows when the Eddie’s going to run, but hopefully this year. It ran the last two years, so we’ll see. It might take a few years off, but I hope I’m wrong, but that’s what usually happens. Conditions, just like every Eddie, will be big, huge, and terrifying.
Annie Reickert (Competitor)
Pukalani, Maui
It’s always exciting to come and see everyone in such a calm setting, which is the ceremony, and then the next time you see them, it’s a very different environment. But I’m excited. It doesn’t happen a lot, but it’ll be interesting to see what the storms do and how they track. If it runs, I’ll be ready.
Kona Oliveira (Alternate)
North Shore, Oahu
It’s got to be a pretty special swell, but hopefully this year it runs. It’s run the last two years, so hopefully we can keep the record. It’s like the old saying goes, “the Bay calls the day.” It’s hard to predict, but there was that first big swell, and if there’s another big one, I hope it’s maxed out and really big.
