‘The Eddie’ is back on! Organizers confirm big wave surf contest as large swell rolls in
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The 2023 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is a go, organizers said Thursday.
The contest is set to begin on Sunday for its 34th edition dedicated to the North Shore’s legendary waterman.
Clyde Aikau — the organizer of the contest and brother of Eddie Aikau — says that conditions will be epic on Sunday with waves estimated to reach 30 feet. He added that wind and wave directions will be just right.
“On this call, we have trade winds coming out of the valley, straight out to Waimea bay, which is fantastic and the westerly direction is fantastic,” Aikau said.
Forty surfers were invited this year, including five women.
The list includes 2016 winner John John Florence, 2002 winner Kelly Slater, four-time Peahi champ Billy Kemper, and father-and-son duo Mason and Michael Ho.
Maui native Tyler Larronde is also among the invitees. He’s not only about to surf in his first Eddie, but this will be his first time at Waimea Bay.
“It’s one of the biggest things ever for me,” Larronde said. “It was my dad’s dream to maybe be in it one day and here I am, gonna go take it, do it, and it’s just a huge honor.”
This edition of the Eddie will also be dedicated to Solomon Aikau and longtime Waikiki beachboy China Uemura, who recently passed away.
If you plan to attend the contest at Waimea Bay, get there early and expect slow moving traffic.
Clyde recently had to call off the contest earlier in the month due to unfavorable wind conditions, but right now, it’s all systems go.
The contest was last held in 2016. It has only run nine times because the conditions have to be right.
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