Invitees and alternates for The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau are still on hold, waiting for a large enough swell for the big-wave competition to take place. So far, reports forecast a weak outcome. The jetstream has pulled north,
Invitees and alternates for The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau are still on hold, waiting for a large enough swell for the big-wave competition to take place.
So far, reports forecast a weak outcome. The jetstream has pulled north, taking the swell-generating systems with it.
As a result, the North Shore of O‘ahu anticipates mostly small surf with a bump to around 6 feet (Hawaiian scale) midweek.
As December draws to a close, conditions have started to look more promising for a return to typical larger winter wave heights.
Statistically the biggest surf arrives through January and February, allowing still plenty of opportunity remaining in the event’s holding period window.
The holding period for the Eddie began on Nov. 30 and will continue to hold until surf reaches at least 20 feet on the Hawaiian scale (40 feet faces) or until Feb. 28.
The last Eddie was run in 2004 and was won by Kaua‘i’s Bruce Irons.
He beat out former event champion Ross Clarke-Jones of Australia and the Big Island’s Shane Dorian.
Scheduled to take place at Waimea Bay, on the North Shore of O‘ahu, the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, is held in honor of the legendary Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau,
It gathers 28 of the most skillful and dynamic big-wave surfers from around the world as polled by a comprehensive panel consisting of influential watermen, members of the surf industry, and internationally recognized surfing associations.
The first memorial event for Aikau was held in 1984 at Sunset Beach, two miles north of Waimea Bay. It was won by local standout Denton Miyamura. Following the inaugural event, The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau moved to Waimea Bay, where it has remained ever since.
2008 marks the event’s 24th anniversary; in only seven of those years have the waves been big enough and the conditions right to hold the contest.
Irons’ older brother, former Association of Surfing Professionals champion Andy Irons, Titus Kinimaka and Kelly Slater are among those invited to participate in the competition.
Only one day is needed to complete the Eddie.
Bruce Irons has said that he will retire following the completion of the season.
