Jamie O'Brien Tackles 60ft Waves
Big wave surfer Jamie O'Brien dropped behind-the-scenes footage from The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay, showing him taking on massive 60-foot waves on Oahu's North Shore. SURFER magazine highlighted the incredible conditions that made this one of the most memorable contests in years.
The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is one of the most exclusive and revered surfing contests in the world, only getting the green light when wave faces at Waimea Bay consistently reach a minimum of 40 feet. This strict requirement is why the event has only been held 11 times in its 41-year history. The contest honors legendary Hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau, the first-ever lifeguard assigned to the North Shore of Oahu. In his career, he saved over 500 people from the powerful surf at Waimea Bay, famously braving waves that exceeded 30 feet when no one else would dare to go. Aikau's legacy was cemented in 1978 when he was part of the crew on the Hōkūleʻa, a Polynesian voyaging canoe. When the vessel capsized miles from shore, Aikau paddled off on his surfboard to get help for the crew. He was never seen again, and his selfless bravery inspired the iconic phrase, "Eddie Would Go." An invitation to compete is considered one of the highest honors in surfing, extended to only about 40 of the world's most elite big wave specialists. The event format sees competitors surf in two rounds, with their four best waves combined to determine the winner. The most recent running of the event on December 22, 2024, was won by North Shore local Landon McNamara. Jamie O'Brien had a standout performance, holding the lead after a strong first heat. When "The Bay Calls the Day," the event becomes a massive cultural phenomenon, drawing crowds of up to 50,000 spectators who line the cliffs and beach of Waimea Bay to witness the spectacle.
