THE HISTORY
The Eddie is the premier Event in the sport of Surfing – The Super Bowl of Surfing. The Eddie Big Wave Invitational celebrates the current lineage of big wave surfers, as well as the ones that came before. The legend of Eddie Aikau is an important part of Hawaiian Culture. Eddie Aikau was a championship athlete, a waterman, and a family man who truly cared for others. Eddie was not just the 1st lifeguard at Waimea Bay; he was the 1st lifeguard for the entire North Shore, and saved over 500 people throughout his career. Eddie would brave the waves that often reached 30 feet or more, when no one else would go out. It’s important to keep his legacy alive and inspire the next generation to live like Eddie did.
The 34th annual Eddie Big Wave Invitational is aiming to bring focus onto Hawaiian Culture, with a goal to share the stories and legacy of Hawaii with the world. With the Waimea Valley extending behind Waimea Bay, this is an area rich with historic Hawaiian Cultural significance.
THE 2019-2020 BIG WAVE INVITATIONAL
The Holding Period for the 2018-2019 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Challenge is Set for
December 1, 2019 till February 29, 2020
With all eyes on Waimea Bay in 2016, The Eddie is the biggest surfing event ever. There were over 1.2 million views of the live stream from fans from more than 200 countries around the world.
Just as in year’s past, the contest will run if surf heights consistently reach 20-feet between December 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020. The Eddie will invite 55 surfers, alternates and legends to showcase their high-performance surfing at Waimea Bay.
INVITEES
Aaron Gold
Andrea Moller
Ben Wilkinson
Billy Kemper
Bruce Irons
Danilo Couto
Dave Wassel
Eli Olson
Emi Erickson
Grant Baker
Greg Long
Ian Walsh
Jamie O’Brien
Jamie Mitchell
John John Florence
Kai Lenny
Keala Kennelly
Keali‘i Mamala
Kelly Slater
Koa Rothman
Landon McNamara
Lucas Chianca
Luke Shepardson
Makuakai Rothman
Mark Healey
Mason Ho
Nathan Florence
Nathan Fletcher
Paige Alms
Ross Clarke-Jones
Shane Dorian
Tikanui Smith
MALE ALTERNATES
- Tyler Larronde
- Kyle Shipman
- Kohl Christensen
- Chris Bertish
- Chris Owens
- Mike Pietsch
- Torrey Meister
- Alex Martins
- Ryan Seelbach
- Matt Bromley
- Reef McIntosh
- Ezekiel Lau
- Jamie Sterling
FEMALE ALTERNATES
- Bianca Valenti
- Raquel Heckert
- Justine Dupont
- Silvia Nabuco
- Laura Enever
SUPPORT THE EDDIE AIKAU
Donations go directly to support the Eddie Aikau Foundation and to fulfill Eddie’s mission.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The world famous Turtle Bay Resort is THE place to stay on the north shore. A truly iconic landmark, the Turtle Bay Resort offers room to roam across more than 800 acres of property, this is the place to literally get away from it all.
THE 2019-2020 OPENING CEREMONY
Thursday, December 5, 2019 | Waimea Bay
Pū Kani – 10:00am
Hawaiian Protocol: Oli Komo / Oli Pane
Uncle Clyde Presentation to Haumāna
Piko ‘Āina – 1:00pm
‘Aha ‘Awa Ceremony
Pū Kani – 3:30pm
Paddle Out
Pū kani – 4:00pm
Lū‘au by Duke’s Waikīkī
Entertainment: John Cruz / Mark Campos and his band Pueo /
Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders
Pau – Napo‘o ‘ana o ka lā (sunset)
PHOTOS FROM THE 2018-2019 OPENING CEREMONY
Photos: Mike Ito
MAHALO TO OUR SPONSORS
We invite you to experience Hawaiʻiʻs Living Culture in Waimea Valley, deeply rooted in authentic Hawaiian History, Culture, Spirituality and Tradition.
PRESS + MEDIA
CONTACT US
Eddie Aikau Foundation
352 Auwaiolimu Street
Honolulu, HI 96813