The Eddie is officially a go.
The big-wave contest kicked off this morning, with surfers gearing up to take on massive waves larger than 20 feet with the world watching.
It’s the 25th anniversary for the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, the only Association of Surfing Professionals sanctioned big-wave event.
The Eddie – as it’s called – only happens if the waves are big enough, which has only happened seven times in the pasts 24 years.
As seen on the live streaming, the surfers are waiting out as large bumps in the ocean come through, waiting for the monster sets to come in.
San Clemente surfer Greg Long will be out there today. Long is a young surfer who has won just as many (if not more) awards for big-wave riding than any other of the pros out competing.
Also out in the water are surfers such as Kelly Slater and Andy Irons.
The contest is named by Hawaiian Eddie Aikau, Waimea Bay’s first lifeguard who graced Life Magazine in 1966 taking on the monster waves.
Aikua was aboard the Hokule’a on a traditional double-hull voyaging, when a massive storm capsized the vessal. Aikau tried to paddle back to shore to save his crew, never to be seen again.
His brother, Clyde, is surfing in the event at 60 years old.
Competitors are only allowed to catch four waves during their heats. It is unclear what time Long will be riding, but Register reporter Gary Warner will give us updates that I will pass on as soon as they come in.
Post from: OC Beach Blog
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