

It is only held at Waimea Bay, only allows invited surfers to compete, and only runs if there is 8 hours of consistent swell. “The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau” is not an ordinary surf event. So in honour of what he lived for, every year “the Eddie” is ceremonially opened. The crew was eventually rescued, but Eddie was never found.Įddie was 32 when he died, he dedicated his life to helping people, and was lost at far to young an ages. He had attempted to paddle for help for the crew he was part of on the polynesian boat "the Hokule'a" that had capsized. However, tragedy struck in 1978 when Eddie was lost at sea.
#Eddie aikau plus#
Eddie also loved surfing big waves, really big waves- 20ft plus Hawaiian sized, i.e. He saved countless lives by paddling into Waimea's powerful waves on his massive longboard and pulling people to safety. He became the first lifeguard for the infamous North Shore, and was stationed at Waimea Bay. Eddie loved the ocean and he loved people. It is here that each year 28 specially invited big wave surfers come together to mark the opening of Quiksilver's “The Eddie”.īorn in 1946 and raised on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. However, not everyone knows about the importance of a particular break: Waimea Bay. The majority of people who surf have heard of Hawaii's famous North Shore, a 7 miles stretch containing the world's most incredible surf breaks.
