Jamie O'Brien Goes Behind Scenes at Waimea

The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is a legendary contest held in honor of famed Hawaiian waterman and the North Shore's first lifeguard, Eddie Aikau. Aikau was a revered big-wave surfer who saved over 500 lives before he was lost at sea in 1978 during a rescue attempt after the Hōkūleʻa voyaging canoe capsized. The event has a unique and strict requirement: it only runs if wave faces at Waimea Bay consistently reach 40 feet. This condition is so rare that the competition has only been held 11 times in its 41-year history, adding to its prestige. The phrase "Eddie Would Go" originated from the inaugural contest when organizers debated canceling due to dangerous conditions, but it was declared that Aikau, known for his bravery, would have charged the waves. The holding period for the 2025-2026 Eddie is from December 7, 2025, to March 6, 2026. Recent winners include Landon McNamara in December 2024 and North Shore lifeguard Luke Shepardson in January 2023, who embodied the spirit of Aikau. The "Live Like Zander" Junior Surf Pro is held in memory of Zander Venezia, a promising 16-year-old Barbadian surfer. Venezia tragically died in 2017 after hitting a reef while surfing large waves generated by Hurricane Irma; his last words were reportedly that he had just ridden the best wave of his life. The event serves as a crucial stop on the World Surf League's North America Qualifying Series, determining qualification for the Challenger Series and the World Junior Championship. It takes place at the world-renowned Soup Bowl in Bathsheba, Barbados. Spinal injuries are a significant risk in surfing, as highlighted by the recent incident in Southern California. In that event, surfer Scott Muir was rescued by fellow surfers after a wipeout drove him headfirst into the sand, fracturing his C6 and C7 vertebrae and leaving him paralyzed in the water.