Part 1: The Athletes
For generations, THE EDDIE ® Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau, has held a sacred place in the hearts of surfers from across the world. Held at Waimea Bay on O‘ahu’s North Shore, THE EDDIE is unlike anything else in the surfing world: part surf contest, part homage to a Hawaiian hero, all mesmerizing. To trigger the green light, only the most reef-shattering north swells, 40-feet and over, will kickstart the event.
Since its inception in 1984, this invitational has only run 10 times—a testament to the bone-crushing conditions needed to give the green-light. However, ask any waterman, and they’ll tell you it’s not just about the waves; it’s about honoring the spirit of Eddie Aikau, a man whose courage and aloha for others have become a rallying cry for surfers in Hawai‘i and abroad.
Named after Eddie Aikau—a heroic Hawaiian waterman, lifeguard, and surfer who gave his life trying to save others—has become the ultimate test of bravery, skill, and bravado. As Clyde Aikau, Eddie’s brother and former Eddie winner, said, “Eddie was about helping people, about living with aloha. That’s what this event is about, too—showing respect for the ocean and for each other.”
With the event only happening when the ocean is at its most unforgiving, the surfers chosen to compete aren’t just world-class athletes—they’re guardians of a legacy. So, what’s it like to receive the coveted invitation and prepare for surfing’s most heralded competition? To answer that, we follow three members of the ‘OluKai ‘ohana—Zeke Lau, Eala Stewart, and past-winner Luke Shepardson—as they train for The Eddie and await an invitation to write their names into surfing history.
