A surfer rides a wave at the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay, North Shore, Hawaii on … [+]
The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is now set to take place Sunday, January 22nd, after it was canceled earlier this month due to high winds and sloppy conditions.
The friendly competition will be held at Waimea Bay on the North Shore as Oahu expects 30-foot waves and favorable wind conditions this weekend. It will be the 34th time the contest has taken place, but the first time since 2016. About forty surfers will participate.
Known as the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, the event honors the late Eddie Aikau, a Hawaiian lifeguard and surfer who lost his life in an open-ocean rescue attempt in 1978. It only takes place when the waves are big and epic enough for Eddie – that is, when they are consistently higher than 20 feet.
Big wave surfers perform a ceremony for the opening of the 2016 Quiksilver Eddie Aikau invitational … [+]
The inspirational phrase attached to the Invitational is “Eddie Would Go,” which symbolizes his courage and willingness to help others no matter how dire the circumstances.
Back in 1978, Eddie Aikau was a passenger on board Hawaii’s traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe, the Hokulea, when it capsized between islands. Eddie volunteered to paddle to land for help, but never returned.
If you’re traveling in the islands, head up to Waimea Bay (early) to watch in person. Otherwise, you can watch it live online via Surfline.
To learn more about Eddie Aikau and his story, you can watch the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, or read the book, Eddie Would Go.
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