Words and images by Shannon Reporting
How many legends can you fit in one circle? The Aikau family outdid themselves this winter, gathering the bravest big wave chargers at Waimea Beach Park yesterday, Dec 4th, to celebrate the opening window of The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational dedicated in loving memory to the spirit of the late Hawaiian lifeguard, Eddie Aikau. The most prestigious event of its kind, The Eddie last ran in 2016 when the North Shore’s John John Florence claimed the throne.
Bodysurfer and accomplished lifeguard Mark Cunningham introduced the athletes after various Hawaiian cultural activities and the ‘Awa ceremony. New to the lineup of iconic big wave hellmen are four women invitees and five female alternates. The call to run will be made when contest director Liam McNamara and the event team predicts 20ft Hawaiian scale on the charts during the holding period, which runs from December 1, 2019 through February 28, 2020.
📷 @shannonreporting • @freesurfmag