Lifeguards proud to celebrate Eddie Aikau’s legacy in big wave contest
WAIMEA BAY (HawaiiNewsNow) - The prestigious lineup for the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational includes two City and County of Honolulu lifeguards — one of whom is the defending champion.
Luke Shepardson took the surfing world by storm when he won the last “Eddie” on Jan. 22, 2023, beating some of the best in the world.
He was among the first competitors to paddle out at 9 a.m. Sunday.
“It looks like we got a bomb coming and it’s going to be a good day,” he told Hawaii News Now just prior to the competition.
THE EDDIE IS ON: View our complete coverage
Despite his past victory, Shepardson’s not feeling the pressure of a repeat performance.
“Just here to have fun and celebrate the legacy of Eddie Aikau and what he perpetuates and keep the culture alive and have a good, fun day of surfing and stay safe,” he said.
If Shepardson wins Sunday, he’ll make history as the first two-time winner of “The Eddie.”
Shepardson said he’s still getting used to the fame that came with last year’s win.
“I’m still doing the same thing, still working as a lifeguard, taking care of the family, but there’s a lot more cameras on me now, so I’m slowly getting used to it,” he said with a chuckle.
Initially listed as an alternate, North Shore surfer and fellow lifeguard Joey Cadiz got the word early Sunday that he would be competing.
“I’m super excited. It’s beyond words right now,” he said. “This is my home break, I consider, and I’m just super honored to have a chance to get in and look forward to how this all goes.”
Eddie Aikau was a legendary waterman who served as the first lifeguard for the North Shore, including Waimea Bay, and saved over 500 people throughout his career.
Cadiz says competing in the contest that bears his name is especially meaningful.
“All of us, as lifeguards, we all take a part of Eddie’s story with us every day that we go to work,” he said.
Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokesperson Shayne Enright calls it a chicken-skin moment.
“We’re so proud,” she told Hawaii News Now. “All in honor of Eddie Aikau, a lifeguard. It’s going to be a great event.”
This is the 11th time “The Eddie” has run in the last 40 years, and participation is by invitation only.
Previous Coverage:
- ‘The Eddie’ is on! Tens of thousands gather on North Shore for big wave surf contest
- North Shore businesses prepare for ‘The Eddie’ crowds
- ‘We are on’: The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational gets green light for Sunday
- Will ‘Eddie’ go? What big-wave contest organizers are looking for
- With ‘The Eddie’ possible, groups and organizers urge safety — and to leave a lot at home
- Yellow alert for ‘The Eddie’ this weekend as north-shore surf rises to dangerous levels
- SPECIAL SECTION: 2023 Eddie Aikau Stories
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