After a two year hiatus, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational has officially made it's return. With the support of new sponsors, the event will be called on when surf heights reach a consistent 20 feet (Hawaiian) at Waimea Bay between now and February 28.
And for the first time in history a woman is on the invitee list. Coming off of her recent win at the Women's Jaws Challenge, Keala Kennelly made the cut and Paige Alms will act as her alternate.
The Eddie Aikau Invitational has hosted some of the most iconic moments in the sport with John John Florence claiming the last win in 2016. Because the Eddie will only run when conditions align, it is rare and if called on - this will mark the 10th edition in it's 33-year history.
It doesn't hurt that Hawaii has had a massive week of solid conditions with another pulse expected early next week.
The event is held in honor of Eddie Aikau, a champion big wave surfer and the first lifeguard hired to patrol the North Shore - covering the stretch of beach from Sunset to Haleiwa.
For more information visit: theeddieaikau.com
The 2018 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational Opening Ceremony. - WSL
Invitees: Grant Baker, Lucas Chianca, Ross Clarke-Jones, Danilo Couto, Shane Dorian, Nathan Fletcher, John John Florence, Nathan Florence, Sunny Garcia, Aaron Gold, Mark Healey, Mason Ho, Bruce Irons, Billy Kemper, Keala Kennelly,Ezekiel Lau, Kai Lenny, Greg Long, Keali‘i Mamala, Garrett McNamara, Jamie Mitchell, Jamie O'Brien, Joel Parkinson, Makuakai Rothman, Koa Rothman, Kelly Slater, Takayuki Wakita, Ian Walsh and Dave Wassel.
Alternates: Kyle Shipman, Michael Ho, Landon McNamara, Luke Shephardson, Ramon Navarro, Reef McIntosh, Kohl Christensen, Chris Owens, Tyler Laron, Ben Wilkinson, Kala Alexander, Rodrigo Koxa, Tom Carroll, Paige Alms, Mark Matthews, Jamie Sterling, Shawn Dollar, Carlos Burle, Gabriel Villaran, Kahea Hart, Damien Hobgood, Kalani Chapman, Ryan Hipwood, Danny Fuller, Nic Lamb, Anthony Tashnick, Rusty Long, Derek Dunfee, Jeremy Flores, Noah Johnson, Peter Mel, Andrew Cotton, Duane DeSoto, Kainoa McGee, Ikaika Kalama, Tyler Fox, Brad Gerlach, Vincent Lartizen, Mike Parsons, Axi Muniain, Benjamin Sanchis, Damien Warr, Sebastian Steudtner, Eric Akiskalian, Dan Corbett, Francisco Porcella, Antonio Silva, Gautier Garanx, Antonio Balau, Mick Corbett, Jarryd Foster, Lance Hoʻokano, Rusty Keaulana, Hugo Vau, Pedro Scooby, Yuri Soledade and Trevor Sven Carlson.
The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational Makes Return
WSL
After a two year hiatus, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational has officially made it's return. With the support of new sponsors, the event will be called on when surf heights reach a consistent 20 feet (Hawaiian) at Waimea Bay between now and February 28.
And for the first time in history a woman is on the invitee list. Coming off of her recent win at the Women's Jaws Challenge, Keala Kennelly made the cut and Paige Alms will act as her alternate.
The Eddie Aikau Invitational has hosted some of the most iconic moments in the sport with John John Florence claiming the last win in 2016. Because the Eddie will only run when conditions align, it is rare and if called on - this will mark the 10th edition in it's 33-year history.
It doesn't hurt that Hawaii has had a massive week of solid conditions with another pulse expected early next week.
The event is held in honor of Eddie Aikau, a champion big wave surfer and the first lifeguard hired to patrol the North Shore - covering the stretch of beach from Sunset to Haleiwa.
For more information visit: theeddieaikau.com
Invitees: Grant Baker, Lucas Chianca, Ross Clarke-Jones, Danilo Couto, Shane Dorian, Nathan Fletcher, John John Florence, Nathan Florence, Sunny Garcia, Aaron Gold, Mark Healey, Mason Ho, Bruce Irons, Billy Kemper, Keala Kennelly,Ezekiel Lau, Kai Lenny, Greg Long, Keali‘i Mamala, Garrett McNamara, Jamie Mitchell, Jamie O'Brien, Joel Parkinson, Makuakai Rothman, Koa Rothman, Kelly Slater, Takayuki Wakita, Ian Walsh and Dave Wassel.
Alternates: Kyle Shipman, Michael Ho, Landon McNamara, Luke Shephardson, Ramon Navarro, Reef McIntosh, Kohl Christensen, Chris Owens, Tyler Laron, Ben Wilkinson, Kala Alexander, Rodrigo Koxa, Tom Carroll, Paige Alms, Mark Matthews, Jamie Sterling, Shawn Dollar, Carlos Burle, Gabriel Villaran, Kahea Hart, Damien Hobgood, Kalani Chapman, Ryan Hipwood, Danny Fuller, Nic Lamb, Anthony Tashnick, Rusty Long, Derek Dunfee, Jeremy Flores, Noah Johnson, Peter Mel, Andrew Cotton, Duane DeSoto, Kainoa McGee, Ikaika Kalama, Tyler Fox, Brad Gerlach, Vincent Lartizen, Mike Parsons, Axi Muniain, Benjamin Sanchis, Damien Warr, Sebastian Steudtner, Eric Akiskalian, Dan Corbett, Francisco Porcella, Antonio Silva, Gautier Garanx, Antonio Balau, Mick Corbett, Jarryd Foster, Lance Hoʻokano, Rusty Keaulana, Hugo Vau, Pedro Scooby, Yuri Soledade and Trevor Sven Carlson.
News
The fields dwindled to just eight women and 16 men for Challenger Series competition with points becoming more valuable by the minute.
Gabriel André já tirou a liderança de Heitor Muller no ranking masculino
Dominic Barona continues to set new records in Iquique
An uptick in the swell provided heaving 4-6 foot waves with plenty of tuberides and high-scoring opportunities
A fresh crop of Challenger Series notables including fresh faces and proven competitors made their presence known.