This year, there was a lot to be excited about on the North Shore of Oahu. The Eddie Aikau actually ran, a lifeguard won the event, and, for the first time ever, women charged alongside the men! This achievement was a big deal, and did not go unnoticed by the city of Honolulu, as big-wave, Eddie Invitee surfers Andrea Moller, Emily Erickson, Justine Dupont, Keala Kennelly, Makani Adric and Paige Alms were honored for their historic accomplishment on Girl’s Day at the city hall. International Women’s Day was yesterday, Wednesday, March 8.
Girl’s Day occurs annually on March 3rd in Hawaii, and, despite being celebrated on the islands, has Japanese origins. Although the day began as a way to honor and bring blessings to young girls, nowadays, women of all ages are honored.
The women honored last week displayed bravery in more ways than one: charging massive sets at Waimea Bay takes guts. Being the first women to do it at the big wave invitational event, with thousands of spectators watching your every move, takes even more.
Each of these women have an impressive portfolio of wave-riding accomplishments. Andrea Moller holds the title of the first wave ridden by a woman at the Eddie, and she also has a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest paddle-in wave ever caught by a woman. Emily Erickson, who placed second at the Puerto Escondido Cup, is the daughter of Roger Erickson, who was a Hawaiian lifeguard who has surfed in Eddie events as well.
Justine Dupont won the XXL trophy for best female performance of the year, as well as several Red Bull Big Wave awards. Keala Kennelly has been described by Rolling Stone as “Hawai’i’s big wave amazon,” and, with a well-deserved entry in the Encyclopedia of Surfing, is described as “the most fearless female tuberider.”
Makani Andric, who has been surfing the North Shore since she was seven, said “It was quite a special moment for me to be a part of the first group of women to surf in The Eddie. It was such a humbling experience to be out in the ocean sharing my passion for surfing with only a few other people out.” Paige Alms, a down-to-earth surfer living on Maui, surfed a Hawaiian outer-reef at the age of 15, and has won the “Women’s Best Overall Performance” award for her big-wave chops. Alms said, of surfing in the Eddie, that “It was a dream come true to surf alongside the guys and to do it on one of, if not the, biggest and best Eddie that has ever run. It’s just magic!”
It’s better than magic, it’s history being made.
