Event Status Waiting Period Dec 14 - March 13 Last Updated: Nov 19 2024
Mason Ho surfing in HawaiiMason Ho surfing in Hawaii
Collage of images of Eddie Aikau courtesy of the Eddie Aikau foundationCollage of images of Eddie Aikau courtesy of the Eddie Aikau foundation
Mason Ho walking along Waimea beach carrying his surfboardMason Ho walking along Waimea beach carrying his surfboard

The Eddie Aikau Foundation Presents Rip Curl The Eddie Big Wave Invitational, In Memory Of Eddie Aikau

Waimea Bay, North Shore, Hawaii
Event Window: December 14, 2024 - March 13, 2025
"The Eddie" is a prestigious big-wave invitational surf contest, named in honor of the legendary Eddie Aikau. Aikau, a fearless lifeguard and surfer from Oahu's North Shore, became famous for his boldness in chasing the biggest swells and tackling the most treacherous waves

Archival Imagery of the Opening CeremonyArchival Imagery of the Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony

The Eddie has a unique competition window from December through February, during which organizers and surfers closely monitor swell forecasts, waiting for the ideal conditions to run the event. To meet the criteria, waves must consistently reach at least 20 feet (Hawaiian scale), with the ideal swell pushing heights to 30-40 feet. If the conditions are right, the event is called, typically within the holding period from December 14 to March 13. This season's opening ceremony will take place at Waimea Bay on December 6, 2024, officially kicking off the contest window.

Poster of the Eddie Aikau eventPoster of the Eddie Aikau event

Eddie Would Go! - Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational pres by Eddie Aikau Foundation.

A new era in big-wave surfing at Waimea Bay begins now.

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Mason Ho running along the Waimea beachMason Ho running along the Waimea beach

Riding The Wind with Mason Ho.

Go behind the scenes with Mason Ho at the 2023 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational…

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Mason Ho surfing Waimea BayMason Ho surfing Waimea Bay

“Stories from The Eddie” with Mason Ho & Friends

Join Mason Ho and other legendary surfers as they dive into the heart of one of the most iconic events in surfing — The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational.

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Eddie Would Go logoEddie Would Go logo

2024 Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Invitees

Invitees

Aaron Gold

Annie Starr Reickert

Bianca Valenti

Billy Kemper

Bruce Irons

Chad Keaulana

Eli Olson

Emily Erickson

Ezekiel Lau

Felicity Palmateeer

Francisco Porcella

Greg Long

Ian Walsh

Jake Maki

Jamie Mitchell

Jamie O’Brien

John John Florence

Jojo Roper

Justine Dupont

Kai Lenny

Kauli Vaast

Keala Kennelly

Keali’i Mamala

Kelly Slater

Koa Rothman

Kohl Christensen

Landon McNamara

Laura Enever

Lucas Chianca

Luke Shepardson

Makani Adric

Makuakai Rothman

Mark Healey

Mason Ho

Matt Bromley

Moana Jones Wong

Nathan Florence

Nic Lamb

Paige Alms

Peter Mel

Ross Clarke-Jones

Russell Bierke

Taio Shipman

Torrey Meister

Tyler Larronde

Alternates

Ha’a Aikau

Joey Cadiz

Eala Stewart

Ben Wilkinson

Grant Twiggy Baker

Koa Smith

Tiger Doerner

Michael Sanborn

Ivan Florence

Mikey O’Shaughnessy

Kala Grace

Barron Mamiya

Tom Robert Lowe

Alonso Correa

Othmane Choufani

Natxo Gonzalez

Isamu Sumi

Cristian Merello

Manny Resano

Conor Maguire

Izzy Gomez

Skylar Lickle

Tiare Lawrence

Andea Moller

Anne Dos Santos

Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational Winners

Past Winners

1985 - Denton Miyamura

1986 - Clyde Aikau

1990 - Keone Downing

1999 -  Noah Johnson

2001 - Ross Clarke-Jones

2002 - Kelly Slater

2004 - Bruce Irons

2009 - Greg Long

2016 - John John Florence 

2023 - Luke Shepardson

What's On:

  • "Stories from The Eddie" with Mason Ho & friends - Dec 4th & Dec 7th. Learn More

How To Get To Waimea Bay:

  • By Car: Waimea Bay is located approximately 4.5 miles northeast of Haleiwa on Kamehameha Highway. Honolulu, on the other side of the island, is a 34 mile (45 minute without traffic) drive away.

  • By Bus: Waimea can be reached via public transit on Bus Route 60 from Haleiwa.

Luke Shephard, winner of the 2023 Eddie Aikau comp Female contestant running back along the beach from her heat Black and White Image of a surfer in the opening ceremony Male surfer coming off his board on a big wave Mason Ho surfing in a heat Framed images of Eddie Aikau at the opening ceremony