The 2023 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay

World's most iconic big-wave event returns to Waimea Bay.

WHAT ARE WE WATCHING?
The word “unique” is thrown around a lot. In this case, it fits. There is nothing like the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, inside surfing or out. The event has been placed on a three-month hold every Hawaiian winter for the past 34 years, and run only nine times — only when Waimea Bay offers itself up at 20 feet or bigger for a full day of surfing.

It is run in the memory of Eddie: fantastic surfer, Hawaiian all the way through, the first lifeguard in North Shore history, who vanished in an impossibly heroic rescue effort off the capsized double hull canoe Hokule’a in March 1978. Surfers attend the event by invitation from the Aikau family, and there’s no greater honor in surfing.

This year, a total of 40 surfers have been so honored. (See our list below.)

The event format is simple: Two rounds of eight-person heats are held, so everyone gets to surf twice. Each surfer’s top four rides count toward a total score. Those top four rides can come from one or both heats, so a wobbly first heat isn’t the end of the world.

But it wouldn’t be anyway. Just paddling out for one of these heats is prized by every surfer who’s ever taken part.

There’s been nine winners of the Eddie so far. Nobody has ever won it twice.

Former winners:
Denton Miyamura (1987), Clyde Aikau (1986), Keone Downing (1990), Noah Johnson (1999), Ross Clarke-Jones (2001), Kelly Slater (2002), Bruce Irons (2004), Greg Long (2009), John Florence (2016)

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ROUND ONE
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Heat 1:
Andrea Moller, Aaron Gold, Greg Long, John John Florence, Koa Rothman, Mark Healey, Nathan Fletcher, Shane Dorian

R1 Heat 2:
Emily Erickson, Ian Walsh, Josh Moniz, Kohl Christiansen, Makua Rothman, Ross Clark-Jones, Kahea Hart, Mikey Redd

R1 Heat 3:
Justine Dupont, Keala Kennelly, Eli Olson, Jake Maki, Kai Lenny, Landon McNamara, Nic Von Rupp, Taio Shipman

R1 Heat 4:
Makani Adric, Ezekiel Lau, Chris Owen, Keali'i Mamala, Lucas Chianca, Mason Ho, Peter Mel, Tikanui Smith

Heat 5:
Paige Alms, Grant Twiggy Baker, Jamie Mitchell, Billy Kemper, Luke Shepardson, Michael Ho, Ramon Navarro, Tyler Larronde

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ROUND TWO
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Heat 1
Andrea Moller (pink), Aaron Gold (blue), Greg Long (purple), John John Florence (yellow), Eli Olson (white), Jake Maki (orange), Kai Lenny (red), Landon McNamara (black)

Heat 2
Emily Erickson (pink), Koa Rothman (blue), Mark Healey (purple), Nathan Fletcher (yellow), Nic von Rupp (white), Taio Shipman (orange), Ezekiel Lau (red), Chris Owen(black)

Heat 3
Justine Dupont (pink), Keala Kennelly (blue), Shane Dorian (purple), Kahea Hart (yellow), Keali'i Mamala (white), Lucas Chianca (orange), Mason Ho (red), Peter Mel (black)

Heat 4
Makani Adric (pink), Ian Walsh (blue), Josh Moniz (purple)
Kohl Christensen (yellow), Tikanui Smith (white), Grant Twiggy Baker (orange), Jamie Mitchell (red), Billy Kemper (black)

Heat 5
Paige Alms (pink), Makuakai Rothman (blue), Mikey Red (purple). Ross Clark-Jones (yellow), Luke Shepardson (white), Michael Ho (orange), Ramon Navarro (red), Tyler Larronde (black)

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Watch: 20ft+ Red Bull Recap: The Almost Eddie Swell. Three massive days in the Pacific.

Special thanks to our Surfline Premium members and supporting broadcast sponsors:
@futuresfins
@billabong
@KonaBigWave Hawaii
• The Twin Fin Waikiki Hotel
@patagonia Surf
@RoarkRevival + Roark Women

-- Timeline Markers--
Event starts: 03:33

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[dunningkruger]

While watching the contest online I learned that Pat Curren died today. That he died on the day of the Eddie, held at a wave he pioneered, is awe inspiring. I was lucky to call him a friend and I will miss him deeply. If you are young, know this; life goes by very quickly, especially when you get older. We will have good times and bad, friends, pets, and family will pass. The best we can do is to be kind to everyone...and enjoy the ride. Adios Amigo~

[RC-ldoj]

Best surf contest I’ve ever watched. Thanks for using local commentators instead of the typical Socal surf scene social climbers. Super nice to have REAL locals telling real stories and the history of the area.

[BrandonBuckingham]

this event was so surreal to attend live. Amazing stuff!

[xbioman]

As someone who has been involved in broadcast surfing events over the internet going back to 1999, this was one of the best events I've seen in terms of the wave consistency and size. But the production itself was pretty bad. The announcers did the best they could without any support from the officials. No idea who was in which heat, no idea how much time was left in a heat, no idea what happened to those that were injured, etc. Poor direction on the shots, watching whitewater flow in with no one riding while missing drops outside. No drone until late in the first round. Just all around not nearly the level of production one would expect from a legendary event. Mahalo to the surfers (men and women) for putting on such a great show. I know the Eddie is a family affair, but surely someone can step up and provide the kind of production value the event deserves.

[rosevanderh]

Congratulations to all the women in the line up today! Pioneers! History makers! Thank you for your courage.

[rogerdat]

No coincidence a professional North Shore guardian of life and safety wins Eddie's contest in wild macking Waimea. Bravo!!

[usctrojans]

The Waves Were Big and The Crowd Bigger! The Surfers I will Call All Heros for Putting their Lives on the Line for the Roar of the Crowd. Boy were there some Spectacular Big Wave Riders Today. All Going For Broke at Every Chance. Weather Was Perfect, Wave Choice, Crown Was HUGE and Competition Stellar. A Day Long Remembered.

[scottvanderlinden]

Thanks to all Hawaiian
For sharing with the Earth what you protect and preserve and respect and what is so unique
Again cheers from Australia 🍻

[Richatthelake]

Great contest with fantastic coverage and commentary. Mahalo and congrats to Luke!

[diannemccormick]

Thoroughly enjoyed this watching off and on all day long...your broadcast was perfect

[alisonhaazer]

I was RIVETED!! The History lessons where amazing and the BEST commentary ever!! YES! YES! YES!

[keithallison]

Psyched for local boy Luke!! Like was said carrying on the lifeguard legacy. Fitting charger won it!! Cheeehooo!!🤙🏼

[lazychap]

Best contest ever……
Thank you guys so much!
You all charged these giants waves like heros.

[mslilykoi]

Sending aloha from Maui with many mahalos for the excellent, engaging commentary of this historic day with so many amazing moments. Just beautiful!
🙌🏼🌊 🤙🏼

[dfrzn]

Got a real feeling and insight to what this event means and the spirit that drives it. It was just great to watch. Thanks for the commentary and to everyone involved.

[hudsonczyzewski]

I just. Did my first lesson today I didn’t want to but then I really was excited when we got there so I’m also surfing tommorow you guys are hero’s u are so brave I whould be so scared I’m watching this on my first day of surfing because I know how hard and intense and fun it is but I got smashed by a 6 ft wave big for me but for these guys they whould just take that thing and how do you guys get over those and surf those you guys are legit MONSTERS!!!

[englishlad]

It was a great day, we just got home, it’s definitely a day I will never forget. Thank you to all who dared to be out there and the hawaiian water patrol because them guys were busy busy all day .🙏🙏

[lazychap]

Thanks a lot to all the surfline team for broadcasting the event the way you did!
And the pipe event as well!

[michaelalloway]

Great Coverage. Awesome Views. 😀 Thank You.

[blitzthesuperdoggsp]

Love the commentary with bits of history etc love the event best surf comp I find the other's boring