This is the wave that Healy and Dorian paddled into the day before the last Eddie. It is said to be the biggest wave ever paddled in the Bay. Photo: Brad Masters
This time of year, when the swell charts turn beet red, all eyes turn to Waimea Bay and the most captivating surf contest in existence. The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay requires 20-foot open ocean swell. However, while the forecast predicts huge surf, the conditions just aren’t right for the event to run in this swell.
Event Organizer Glen Moncata made the call: “We have taken all the time we can to assess the developments of the next big swell and it does not look favorable for us. The size is there, but the quality is not, due to strong, adverse winds. We will continue to wait for the right conditions.”
This is not to say The Eddie won’t run this winter–another five weeks are left in the waiting period, which ends February 28. The North Shore of Oahu has had an incredibly active winter swell-wise with more than a few XXL days. Unfortunately, Waimea Bay hasn’t received the correct conditions for the contest to kick off.
The last time The Eddie ran was 2009 when San Clemente’s Greg Long won the prestigious event. In the 29 years since the big wave invitational’s inception, it’s only received appropriate conditions eight times.
The event was conceptualized to honor the legend of Eddie Aikau who died at sea while sailing the Hokule’a–a large double-hull canoe. Eddie was a lifeguard at Waimea Bay where he saved the lives of many who were caught in the dangerous shore break. It was there that he honed his big wave riding abilities and became a cornerstone of big wave surfing.
Previous winners of the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational are:
Greg Long (USA)–2009/10
Bruce Irons (HAW)–2004/05
Kelly Slater (USA)–2001/02
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS)–2000/01
Noah Johnson (HAW)–1998/99
Keone Downing (HAW)–1989/90
Clyde Aikau (HAW)–1986/87
Denton Miyamura (HAW)–1985/86 *Event held at Sunset Beach.
Keep up to speed on The Eddie at Quiksilver’s event website.
