This winter, big wave riding celebrates a special milestone with the 30th annual Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay, on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Quiksilver is pleased to announce the list of official 2014/15 Invitees and Alternates on this very special occasion. To view the list, please visit the official website www.quiksilver.com/eddie
The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is a one-day big wave riding event that only takes place if and when waves meet a 20-foot minimum height, during the holding period of December 1 through February 28, each Hawaiian winter. The official Opening Ceremony with the Aikau Family will be held on Thursday, December 4th, 3pm, at Waimea Bay.
“The Eddie” is the original big wave riding event and stands as the measure for every big wave event that exists in the world today. It has become an iconic event through its honor, integrity and rarity.
The event honors Hawaiian hero Eddie Aikau, whose legacy is the respect he held for the ocean; his concern for the safety of all who entered it on his watch; and the way with which he rode Waimea Bay on its most giant and memorable days.
Adherence to strict wave height standards has ensured the integrity of the event; it is only held on days when waves meet or exceed the Hawaiian 20-foot minimum (wave face heights of approximately 40 feet). This was the threshold at which Eddie enjoyed to ride the Bay. It has been said that what makes The Eddie special is the times it doesn’t run, because that is precisely its guarantee of integrity and quality days of giant surf.
The competition has only been held a total of 8 times: it’s inaugural year at Sunset Beach, and then seven more times at its permanent home of Waimea Bay. The Eddie was last held on December 9, 2009, won by California’s Greg Long.*
Regardless of whether “The Bay Calls The Day” and the event runs, the annual Opening Ceremony is considered the annual celebration of Aikau’s legacy as well as that of the sport of big wave riding, and is attended by the who’s who of the surfing world. We hope you can join this year’s Invitees, Alternates, and the Quiksilver & Aikau families.
If the contest happens, a live webcast will be available on the event’s official website: www.quiksilver.com/eddie
2014/2015 Invitees are:
AARON GOLD
BRUCE IRONS
CLYDE AIKAU
DAVE WASSEL
GARRETT MCNAMARA
GRANT BAKER
GREG LONG
IAN WALSH
JAMIE MITCHELL
JAMIE O’BRIEN
JAMIE STERLING
JOHN JOHN FLORENCE
KALA ALEXANDER
KELLY SLATER
KOHL CHRISTENSEN
MAKUA ROTHMAN
MARK HEALEY
NATHAN FLETCHER
NOAH JOHNSON
PETER MEL
REEF MCINTOSH
RAMON NAVARRO
SHANE DORIAN
SUNNY GARCIA
ROSS CLARKE-JONES
TAKAYUKI WAKITA
TOM CARROLL
JEREMY FLORES
*Event past winners:
1985/1986 : Denton Miyamura (Haw)
1986/1987 : Clyde Aikau (Haw)
1989/1990 : Keone Downing (Haw)
1998/1999 : Noah Johnson (Haw)
2000/2001 : Ross Clarke-Jones (Aus)
2004/2005 : Bruce Irons (Haw)
2001/2002 : Kelly Slater (USA)
2009/2010 : Greg Long (USA)
About Eddie Aikau:
Just 31 years of age when he was lost at sea during an ill-fated voyage of Hawaii’s Hokule’a double-hull sailing canoe in 1978, Aikau was a young man at the height of a career equally dedicated to big-wave riding and lifeguarding at historic Waimea Bay. Filled with a pure passion to ride giant surf, take care of his fellow man, and uphold his Hawaiian culture and family values, Aikau became the benchmark by which all big wave riders are measured.
About Quiksilver:
Quiksilver, Inc., one of the world’s leading outdoor sports lifestyle companies, which designs, produces and distributes branded apparel, footwear and accessories. The company’s apparel and footwear brands, inspired by a passion for outdoor action sports, represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people who connect with its boardriding culture and heritage. The company’s Quiksilver, Roxy, and DC brands have authentic roots and heritage in surf, snow and skate. The company’s products are sold in more than 90 countries in a wide range of distribution, including surf shops, skate shops, snow shops, its proprietary Boardriders Club shops and other company-owned retail stores, other specialty stores, select department stores and through various e-commerce channels. Quiksilver’s corporate headquarters are in Huntington Beach, California.