This competition has been heralded as one of the biggest surfing competitions because it has three matches in one. It takes place each year in late fall and early winter in Hawaii on Oahu’s North Shore. It consists of the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa Alii Beach Park, the Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach, and the Billabong Pipe Masters at Banzai Pipeline. Pros and fans love this three-contest setup because each event features very different waves, which can be mega-huge and mega-powerful. This surfing competition stands out because it forces competitors to have the strength and the ability to adapt.
When it comes to the biggest surfing competitions, this contest is widely considered the biggest of them all simply because of the sheer size of the waves. Dozens of surfers gather at Waimea Bay in Hawaii to show off their fearlessness on commanding waves that can get up to 60 feet.
It’s held each year sometime between December and February.
The exact dates are announced at the last minute based on the conditions, and if they aren’t right, the competition is cancelled. It only happens when the waves are consistently at least 20 feet. It’s often referred to as simply “The Eddie”. It is named after Eddie Aikau, an iconic Hawaiian surfer and lifeguard. Eddie saved hundreds of people from the raging waves.
This is one of the most iconic surfing competitions for the World Surf League tour each year. One reason it is one of the biggest surfing competitions is because it is so recognizable. It occurs in a paradise-like setting with bright blue water and high-action waves. The shallow coral reef makes for steep drop-ins on hollow waves that allow surfers to get deep into the barrel. A wipeout in these conditions can lead to disastrous consequences.
That risk factor is another reason the Tahiti Pro stands out compared to other WSL tour stops.
Like Tahiti, this contest offers large waves breaking over shallow reefs at the famous surf spot known as Surfer’s Point in Western Australia. This is considered one of the biggest surfing competitions not only because of the vast hollow waves and the dangers that lurk below but because of the rawness of the area. It’s a three-hour drive from any major city, which means only the truest surfers show up, and only the purest fans make the trek.
Forty guests— a mix of the world’s top-paid surfers and local legends — clutch on wave face that beat 50 feet as an estimated 60,000 spectators watched from the beach and nearby cliffs. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, familiar as the Eddie is held only when wave profiles are consistently more significant than 40 feet at Waimea Bay, a rarity.
In the end, the 27-year-old Luke Shepardson, a surfer and rescuer from the North Shore of Oahu, defeated the biggest names in the sport, counting the 2016 guard titleholder John John Florence, a two-time world champion.
Shepardson finished during breaks from his lifeguard job, returning to the tower between heats.
He receives his award wearing his uniform: a yellow rescuer T-shirt and red board shorts.
“I can’t believe it; it’s surreal; it’s a fantasy come true,” he said.
The beach and the nearby area had been loaded since Saturday evening when many drove to the North Shore to set up camp. Others amble miles to get a glimpse of the action. Anticipation was exceptionally high after the event was set for Jan. 11 and then cancelled because of a swell change.
More than a surfing match, the Eddie is a cultural event to honour and celebrate Eddie Aikau, a natator from Hawaii and the first rescuer on the North Shore of Oahu.
Aikau rescued more than 500 people as a lifeguard, and his final act was one of help. He was part of a canoe voyage perseverate the ancient Polynesian resettle route between Hawaii and Tahiti in 1978. The vessel overturned off the coast of Lanai, and after waiting for save, Aikau took his surfboard and pulled toward shore to get help. The crew was saved, but Aikau was never seen again.
The talk on the beach and the livestream return to the unique nature of the event. While the reporter shared accolades of contenders and the ever-changing conditions in the ocean, they also spoke highly about Hawaiian culture, history and Aikau himself. No scores were shown on the live stream. During the second circular of heats, it was reported that Clyde Aikau, Eddie’s brother and the event director, would keep the leaderboard “under wraps” until everybody was safely on shore. The winner would be invested eventually. Who won was beside the point.
