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 33rd 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

THE 2018-2019 OPENING CEREMONY

On Thursday, November 29th, the opening ceremony for the 2018 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational was held at Waimea Bay. For the first time ever, the afternoon included Hawaiian protocol and an ‘awa ceremony led by haumāna before the surfers paddled out to meet the Hōkūle‘a. The evening ended with dinner by Duke’s and performances by Kimie Miner, Paula Fuga, Kaumakaiwa Kanaka‘ole and Mana Mele.

Photos: Mike Ito