Eddie's Day

From Surfing Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Eddie's Day
Directed by Nick Carroll
Starring Andy Irons, Brian Keaulana, Brock Little, Bruce Irons, Carlos Burle, Clyde Aikau, Darryl Virostko, Greg Long, Jamie O'Brien, Jamie Sterling, Kelly Slater, Keone Downing, Makuakai Rothman, Mark Healey, Michael Ho, Noah Johnson, Peter Mel, Reef McIntosh, Ross Clarke-Jones, Rusty Keaulana, Shane Dorian, Sunny Garcia, Tom Carroll, Titus Kinimaka, Takayuki Wakita, Grant Baker, Ramon Navarro, Ibon Amatriain
Production company Quiksilver
Release date 2010
Running time 44 minutes
Language English

Eddie Aikau was a lifeguard at Waimea Bay in Hawaii. He was also one of the greatest big wave riders who ever lived. In March 1978, Eddie paddled for help from the double hull canoe Hokule'a, capsized in wild seas 12 miles south of Oahu. He was never seen again. Waimea was Eddie's world. For one day, December 8, 2009, it was everyone's.

More than a surf contest, the Eddie is an event. It doesn't happen every year, but when it does, there's nothing like it. It's a waterman's Woodstock -- thousands of people sharing the stoke, as 28 of the world's finest big wave riders gather at Waimea Bay on the biggest day of the year and ride in Eddie's tracks.

The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau event director George Downing has made a famous statement: In Downing's words, "The Bay calls the day." That call has been made only seven times in the past 23 years. It's as if the ocean itself is determined to keep this event special.

The winners - Clyde Aikau, Keone Downing, Noah Johnson, Ross Clarke-Jones, Kelly Slater and Bruce Irons all possess extraordinary skills in the ocean. Each has had a "peak day" at Waimea Bay, when paddling power, fitness, wave selection, surfing equipment, confidence and courage have all come together There's been some epic Eddies, but 2009 went to another level. Spectacular 25-30 foot surf, insane wipeouts, incredible shorebreak charges -- and the winner hanging in the balance till the very last ride.

The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau we know has a forerunner: the Eddie Aikau Memorial, held in 1986 in beautiful 10-foot surf at Sunset Beach and won by local ripper Denton Miyamura.

It was a lot of fun, but Quiksilver's Bruce Raymond and Bob McKnight saw a chance to create a true surfing classic. In concert with the Aikau family, today's dramatic, humbling challenge was mounted.

Each Hawaiian winter, a select group of invitees chosen by polling among big wave experts and riders alike would be welcomed to Waimea Bay at the start of a three month waiting period. If the Bay called the day, they would be there.

See also