In 1978, the voyaging canoe he was on capsized, leaving him and nine other crew members stranded 12 miles east of Lanai. Surfing legend Eddie Aikau was the North Shore's first full-time lifeguard, and earned the permanent guard chair at Waimea with a sterling reputation for his life-saving work. In the past there have been years that it didn't go, so just running it again would be fun, and I'm looking forward to participating in it again.” “This year I'm just hoping that we get waves big enough for the event to run. “To get two of the biggest and best waves of my life last year was a dream come true, and I was just stoked to be in it - never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd win it,” said Bruce Irons, the competition's defending champion. I am stoked to be a part of this once again.” Half of us participating in the event never even got a chance to meet him, but the event itself and just hearing his name gives us all more reason to charge and have fun. Eddie has been a symbol of strength and courage for many years and his contribution to surfing remains as strong as ever. “It's a great gathering of everyone in the surf community. “This is the event I look most forward to hanging out on the beach and watching,” said Kelly Slater, who recently earned his record-breaking seventh world surfing championship title at the Nova Schin Festival in Brazil. Total prize money for the event is $86,800, with first place receiving $55,000, second place $10,000, third place $5,000, fourth place $3,000, fifth place $2,000, sixth place $1,000, and seventh through 24th each receiving $600. At the end of the one-day competition, the surfers' four best scores are used to calculate their total. Each heat lasts between 45-60 minutes, and surfers are allowed to ride three to four waves.
Each of the 24 surfers competes in two rounds, either in four heats of six surfers or three heats of eight surfers. Competitors must paddle themselves into mountains of water under their own arm power, then successfully make the drop and ride the massive waves. Unlike most of today's big-wave events, The Quiksilver, Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau remains true to big-wave riding's roots and does not allow the use of personal water craft, such as jet-skis, to tow riders into waves. Eddie was a true soul surfer, one of the sport's legends who has inspired us all, and we are honored to bring the best big wave surfers together in his memory.” “This competition has always been very special to Quiksilver, and the surfing community at large, because of the honor it pays to Eddie Aikau. “We are honored to announce the opening of The Quiksilver, Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau,” said Bob McKnight, CEO, Quiksilver.
Quiksilver team riders on the alternate list include Tom Carroll, Reef McIntosh and Anthony Tashnick. Irons has been invited to defend his title against the world's best surfers, including Quiksilver team riders Mark Healey, Peter Mel, Paul Paterson, Titus Kinimaka and former event champions Kelly Slater and Ross Clarke-Jones.
Because of the stringent surf and condition requirements, The Quiksilver, Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau has only actually been held seven times in 20 years, with the most recent being Bruce Irons' 2004 win.
#EDDIE AIKAU INVITATIONAL 2021 FULL#
If one full day of giant waves with favorable surface conditions does not occur during the holding period, the event gets postponed to the following year. Each year contest Director George Downing decides when to call the competition.
#EDDIE AIKAU INVITATIONAL 2021 PROFESSIONAL#
The unpredictable nature of The Quiksilver, Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau, as well as the respect paid to Aikau's memory, makes it one of the most exciting and anticipated events in professional surfing. If an invitee is not able to compete or does not register, the next person on the alternate list will qualify to compete. Twenty four of the world's greatest big wave surfers will be on-call during the holding period, and will only have a 12 hour window to report and register once the competition day is called. Honoring revered big wave surfer and lifeguard Eddie Aikau, The Quiksilver, Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau can only be held when the surf measures at least 20 feet high measured from the back. at Waimea Bay, on Oahu's famous North Shore. Opening ceremonies for the event will be held on December 1st at 3 p.m. Quiksilver announced the opening of the Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau, which runs from Decemto February 28, 2006.
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