In anticipation of what has all the makings of a banner year, the 30th annual Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay announced their invitees and alternates. The official Opening Ceremony with the Aikau family, an historic event since the competition’s inception in 1984, will be held on Thursday, December 4, at 3 p.m.
The competition is a celebration of Eddie Aikau. It honors the Hawaiian‘s legacy as a waterman, a true embodiment of the Aloha spirit who would never hesitate to put his own life on the line in an effort to save and protect others, especially his beloved family and friends from the North Shore. A surf pioneer, he was one of the first to ride Waimea on its then “unsurfable” massive (and memorable) days. Obviously, things have changed and surfers are pushing the big wave limits further and higher than ever before, but that was and is what makes Eddie’s legacy as timeless as it is: he was more than a surfer; he was a legend in the deepest sense. And his lore extends well beyond the reaches of our community.
The last time the event ran was during the winter of 2009-10, when onlookers hoisted Greg Long up as the winner. And the reigning champion is looking forward to it.
Have to love how Greg gets excited…
Anyway, Kelly Slater (2001-2), Bruce Irons (2004-5), and Eddie’s brother Clyde (1986-87) are also among the past winners. The event has run eight times in all, the first of which was held at Sunset Beach.
Here’s to hoping Waimea shows the necessary 20-foot minimum height during the December to February window.
Invitees: 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
Alternates: Mason Ho, Koa Rothman, Kalani Chapman, Danilo Couto, Billy Kemper, Anthony Tashnick, Carlos Burle, Albee Layer, Ross Williams, Ben Wilkinson, Danny Fuller, Kealii Mamala, Michael Ho, Kai Lenny, Shawn Dollar, Gabriel Villaran, Evan Valiere, Kahea Hart, Keoni Watson, Derek Dunfee, Koby Abberton, Mark Mathews, Alex Gray, Laurie Towner
Honorary: Donnie Solomon, Andy Irons, Mark Foo, Marvin Foster, Ronnie Burns, Ricky Grigg. Jay Moriarity, Lester Falatea, Mel Kinney, Peter Davi, Sion Milosky, Tiger Espere,Todd Chesser
Photo: Quiksilver
