The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, also known as “The Eddie,” is an invitation-only surf competition held at Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The contest is held in honor of legendary Hawaiian surfer Eddie Aikau, who died in 1978 while attempting to rescue a fellow surfer during a winter swell. The Eddie is one of the most prestigious and challenging big wave surfing competitions in the world, and it is only held when the waves reach a minimum height of 20 feet.
The Eddie was first held in 1984, and it has been held sporadically since then, with only 10 contests being held in total. The contest is invitation-only, and the field is typically made up of the world’s best big wave surfers. The Eddie is known for its challenging conditions, and the surfers who compete in the event are often considered to be among the bravest and most skilled in the world.
