Breaking: The Eddie Will Go (Assuming There’s Waves)
Iconic Waimea event given the green light by organizers for winter 2021/22.
Last January, a gargantuan northwest swell hit the North Shore of Oahu, igniting every sleeping reef on the island, from Phantoms to Outer Logs to Himalayas, and of course, Waimea.
While the most memorable session went down a little to the south (who could forget Zeke’s slam or rocket jetski man?), Waimea provided its largest waves in the past few years, some closing out the Bay entirely. Despite this, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational did not run. That was due to Hawaiian covid protocols — not a lack of swell.
“I think if the Eddie waiting period was still going, it for sure would be on today,” said an out-of-breath Mason Ho after negotiating Waimea’s notorious shorebreak sans-surfboard (he’d been caught by a closeout set and broke his leash). “To be honest, I think it’s a little smaller than the last Eddie they had [2016, John Florence won etc], just because last time there’s no way I could have gotten out without a ski, but this time I pulled it. Still, definitely Eddie size.”
While the day was a spectacle in itself, it was disappointing to miss out on an Eddie opportunity. Historically speaking, they run just once every four years. Which is why it delights us to announce that if a similar swell hits Hawaii this winter, the Eddie will go.
Per their recent Instagram post…
Here’s the 2021/22 Eddie Invite list:
Aaron Gold
Andrea Moller
Ben Wilkinson
Billy Kemper
Bruce Irons
Eli Olson
Emi Erickson
Zeke Lau
Grant Baker
Greg Long
Ian Walsh
Jamie O’Brien
Jamie Mitchell
John John Florence
Justine Dupont
Kai Lenny
Keala Kennelly
Kealii Mamala
Kelly Slater
Koa Rothman
Landon McNamara
Lucas Chumbo
Luke Shephardson
Makani Adric
Makua Rothman
Mark Healey
Mason Ho
Matt Bromley
Nathan Florence
Nathan Fletcher
Paige Alms
Peter Mel
Ross Clarke Jones
Shane Dorian
Taio Shipman
Tikanui Smith
Tyler Larronde
Mikey O’Shaughnessy
Reef McIntosh
Mike Pietsch
Torrey Meister
Dave Wassell
Chris Owens
Ryan Seelbach
Christ Bertish
Jamie Sterling
Alex Martins
Bianca Valenti
Raquel Heckert
Silvia Nabuco
Polly Ralda
Isabelle Leonhardt
And once more, for old time’s sake…
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