In Memory of Eddie Aikau 25th Anniversary
The 25th anniversary of The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave event is planning to get underway. This event only takes place if wave heights are in excess of twenty feet, and all forecasts are pointing towards one of the largest swells to hit Hawaii in decades. The last time the event ran was in December 2004.
Held in honor of the legendary Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau, this event gathers the most skillful and dynamic big-wave surfers from around the globe. It is the world’s longest running and most prestigious big-wave invitational. The universal appeal and strength of “The Eddie” is a testament to the human spirit it honors and that we all seek to connect with: a life lived with passion, dedicated with meaning, and exited from heroically. Just 31 when he lost his life in an attempt to save others, his life story is now woven into the fabric of Hawaii.
The opening ceremony was an overwhelming tribute, complete with the original Hokule’a voyaging canoe in Waimea Bay in the midst of a 15- to 18-foot swell. The Hokule’a is a traditional double-hulled vessel that represents the original Polynesian voyage to the Hawaiian islands, and a symbol of great Hawaiian pride. It is also the same boat from which Aikau paddled for assistance in 1978, never to be seen again. Clyde Aikau, winner of the 1987 event, led the paddle-out of this year’s official Invitees and Alternates circling the Hokule’a and paying respects to Eddie.
Clyde is ready to ride on what he expects to be the swell of a lifetime. “Knowing that it’s probably gonna go, everybody’s real jacked, including yours truly. I really think it’s going to be a big one, probably the biggest waves ever for the event. I’ve surfed all the big waves that have come through here, ‘74, ‘69, and this one should be even bigger than that.”
Eddie Aikau Big Wave History
The big wave surfing event in memory of Eddie Aikau began in 1984 as a local tribute to one of Hawaii’s favorite surfing sons. This 2009-2010 season will celebrate 25 years of the event perpetuating Aikau’s life, legacy, and spirit. It will be held on one day, between December 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010, when (and if) waves exceed the 20 foot minimum threshold. In the past twenty-five years it has been completed only seven times.
1984-1985
Denton Miyamura won the first memorial event in Aikau’s honor held at Sunset Beach.
1986-1987
The event was moved to Waimea, and Clyde Aikau won in onshore 20 foot surf.
1989-1990
With wave heights of 25 foot plus, it was won by Keone Downing.
1995-1996
Only one of two rounds was held, and no one was declared a winner.
1997-1998
The waves were over 30 feet, which (ironically) was deemed too big, and the event didn’t go.
1998-1999
Noah Johnson, the smallest surfer in the event, was unstoppable on a day of cartoonish proportions.
2000-2001
Ross Clarke-Jones, an invitee since the beginning of the event at Waimea finally got his just reward in 20 foot plus surf.
2001-2002
Kelly Slater proved that his supreme status is not limited to the world tour.
2004-2005
Booming 25 plus waves and a maximum capacity crowd for the 20th anniversary event saw Bruce Irons ride a wave to the shore culminating in a closeout barrel.
Carissa Moore Wins Gidget Pro
Carissa Moore attacked the waves at Sunset Beach with amazing poise throughout the Gidget Pro to eventually win on her home Island of Oahu. The final day of the contest with the world’s finest female surfers was run in solid 10 to 18 foot surf at Sunset Beach. In preparation for the North Shore season, Moore started training with big-wave surfers Pancho Sullivan and Myles Padaca. They held surf sessions in virtually every type of condition to prepare her for big waves at Sunset Beach.
Moore clinched the four-woman final when she completed a free-fall drop down a 15-foot wave face, then managed to maneuver her board back up the wave for a big carve off the top, and score of 7.57 (out of 10). Moore’s two-wave total of 14.24 was enough to win. Other top finishers on this second stop of the prestigious Vans Triple Crown were Sally Fitzgibbons of Australia in second with 13.07, Stephanie Gilmore of Australia in third with 12.17, and Alana Blanchard of Kaua’i was fourth with 11.17.
“It’s such an honor,” Carissa said. “I’m speechless right now. I never thought that I would make the Final in this event. All of the girls were surfing so well and congratulations to Steph (Gilmore) for winning the World Title.” Last year, Moore became the youngest surfer to win a Triple Crown of Surfing event when she won the Hawaiian Pro at Hale’iwa Ali’i Beach. Next year, she will become an official member on the ASP Women’s Tour for her first full season.
Joel Centeio Wins Hawaiian Pro
Joel Centeio dominated the 8 to 12 foot waves winning every heat on his way to victory at the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa Alii Beach. The top four finishers were Joel Centeio, C.J. Hobgood, Jay Thompson, and Alain Riou. Centeio, who lives across the street from Alii Beach Park said, “My family, friends, and everybody is here and it’s a dream come true to win right here at my homebreak.”
During the 35-minute final Centeio remained committed to his strategy of waiting patiently for the biggest waves. Even when the other three finalists moved inside to surf the smaller waves as the time ticked away, Centeio stayed outside. “I was even like 50 yards farther out than those guys. I was praying for a set to come, and that one set came.” That one set provided a gaping barrel which he made through successfully, and received a score of 9.33 (out of 10).
“Best wave of my life, for sure,” said Centeio. As Centeio exited the barrel, the crowd’s roar was loud enough to drown the sound of the crashing wave behind him. “I could hear them yelling and cheering and I was so excited I was yelling myself.” Centeio caught just two waves in the final, and it resulted in a total score of 14.76 (out of a possible 20 points) confirming his winning strategy and local knowledge of the break.
“All day I was just trying to be patient. There were tough competitors all day, and I knew if I was patient and my positioning was correct I would get the good sets. In the final I was going for first place and I wasn’t going for anything else.”
The Triple Crown of Surfing now moves along the North Shore to Sunset Beach for the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing, and the women’s Gidget Pro Sunset Beach.
Alana Blanchard wins Hawaiian Pro
Alana Blanchard from Kauai scored an uplifting victory by winning the Vans Hawaiian Pro women’s surfing contest. Blanchard is in her rookie season on the ASP Women’s World Tour, and is considered a rising star. The one-day event was completed in wave-face heights of 2 to 6 feet at Hale’iwa Ali’i Beach.
The Hawaiian Pro is the first of three events in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, and the world’s top female surfers participated in the contest. Most significant, Alana came from behind to defeat the defending world champion and current No. 1 ranked Stephanie Gilmore of Australia in the final. Gilmore had the lead for the first 25 minutes of the 30-minute final heat, but Blanchard took the lead with five minutes remaining when she completed several precise turns on a fast-closing wave. The judges rewarded her with a 7.83 (out of 10), which was the best wave score of the final.
In the end, just 1.12 points was the difference. Blanchard’s final two-wave tally was 14.06, Gilmore finished with a total score of 13.04, Peru’s Sofia Mulanovich placed third, and Rebecca Woods of Australia was fourth.
“I’m not sure if she had the confidence before this,” her father, Holt, said. “But now she knows she can win on this level. This really proves something to her.” Alana is also a rising star in the modeling world, and is one of the most photographed surfers on the women’s tour. “I think there’s a stigma out there that she’s this beautiful girl and that’s the only reason why she gets publicity,” her father said. “Well, she proved today that she can surf with the best of them.”
Alana now holds the early lead in the women’s race for the prestigious Triple Crown championship. The next contest in the series is the Gidget Pro at Sunset Beach. “This win means a lot to me because I’m from Hawai’i and ever since I was little I wanted to do the Triple Crown.”
Eddie Aikau Invitees
The 25th Anniversary celebration of The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau will be held on one day, between December 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010, when waves exceed the 20‐foot minimum threshold. Held in honor of the legendary Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau, this event gathers the most skillful and dynamic big‐wave surfers from around the globe. It is the world’s longest running and most prestigious big‐wave invitational.
The universal appeal and strength of “The Eddie” is a testament to the human spirit it honors and that we all seek to connect with: a life lived with passion, dedicated with meaning, and exited from heroically. Just 31 when he lost his life in an attempt to save others, Aikau has physically been gone now for as long as he was here. But far from being forgotten, his life story is now woven into the fabric of Hawaii. The traditional opening ceremony honoring this silver anniversary will be taking place at December 3rd, 2009 at 2 pm Waimea Bay.
Invitees
Andy Irons, Hawaii
Brian Keaulana, Hawaii
Brock Little, Hawaii
Bruce Irons, Hawaii
Carlos Burle, Brazil
Clyde Aikau, Hawaii
Darryl Virostko, California
Greg Long, California
Jamie O’Brien, Hawaii
Jamie Sterling, Hawaii
Kelly Slater, Florida
Keone Downing, Hawaii
Makuakai Rothman, Hawaii
Mark Healey, Hawaii
Michael Ho, Hawaii
Noah Johnson, Hawaii
Peter Mel, California
Reef McIntosh, Hawaii
Ross Clarke-Jones, Australia
Rusty Keaulana, Hawaii
Shane Dorian, Hawaii
Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
Titus Kinimaka, Hawaii
Tom Carroll, Australia
Grant “Twiggy” Baker, South Africa
Ibon Amatriain, Euskadi
Ramon Navarro, Chile
Takayuki Wakita, Japan
Alternates – Kala Alexander, Pancho Sullivan, Garrett McNamara, Kohl Christensen, Dave Wassel, Keoni Watson, Nathan Fletcher, Ian Walsh, Danny Fuller, Kalani Chapman, Taylor Knox, Chava Greenlee, Jamie Mitchell, Myles Padaca, Tony Moniz, Darrick Doerner, Ken “Skin Dog” Collins, Ross Williams, Derek Ho, Paul Paterson, Anthony Tashnick, Koby Abberton, Laurent Pujol, Laurie Towner.
Honorary Invitees – Mark Foo, Todd Chesser, Tiger Espere, Jay Moriarty, Peter Davi, Lester Falatea.
