![]() While the crowds roared in approval as surfers took on the infamously dangerous waves, many expressed concern for safety. It’s so rare, it’s like a sacred event,” said Mark Lagunte, a surfer who spent most of Wednesday night repeatedly refreshing the surf report on his phone. “At the end of the day, this is history that everybody gets to be a part of. People camped out overnight in anticipation of the Eddie Aikau surf competition. One particularly large set sent all the competitors paddling for the shore, in what announcers described as historic conditions. Several large waves went past the safety tape lines, washing away onlookers’ bags and belongings. She said she grew up hearing about the Eddie her whole life, but was never on the island of Oahu when it was held. “For me, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Sarah Wyliee, a local resident of Kauai. Many of the onlookers said they had been waiting for years just to see their first Eddie. This is only the ninth time the competition has been held since its began 31 years ago. It puts a lot more significance on the competition for us.” It’s how we are known to the world, and Eddie was one of the few Hawaiians that really made a name for Hawaii in surfing. “This competition is a tribute to one of Hawaii’s best watermen and most recognized Hawaiians,” said Daniel Rodriguez, a local surfer. ![]() The surf competition was created in his memory. Eddie was lost at sea in 1978 after paddling out into stormy waters to seek help for stranded crew aboard the Hawaiian ship Hokule’a. ![]() Photograph: Liz Barney/The GuardianĪs the first lifeguard of Waimea Bay, Eddie Aikau saved over 500 people from Waimea’s strong waves. Police officers shooed crowds out of the road, and people filled every spot they could find overlooking the bay. Many adults climbed high up into trees in search of a better vantage point. Indeed, the competition seemed to unleash a childish sense of wonder and excitement throughout the crowd. Even the old guys have got this look in their eyes like they’re five years old.” “Everyone is so excited,” said Maria Reed, who camped out the night before on a blanket alongside the road. Some places charged $25 to park three miles from the surf competition. As the buzz of excitement grew, so did the lack of parking. Many camped out along the road, or in the back of their cars. People lined the highway for up to four miles on either side of the bay. On Wednesday night, visitors and locals began swarming the area in the hopes of getting a good spot to watch from. “I just wanted to get a barrel for Brock.” “I’m a little emotional right now, losing Brock the other day,” he said. He came in from the water straight away and broke down during a TV interview, dedicating his last wave to North Shore surfer and close friend Brock Little, who died of cancer on 18 February. I’ve been riding the Eddie for 31 years so it was very emotional, but it was a great send-off.”Įleven-time surf world champion Slater was a strong contender, and scored a rare barrel in the second heat, just about scraping through as the wave crashed over him. After he got out of the water, Clyde said: “It’s always an honor to ride for Eddie. It’s the last time he’ll take part in the event. ![]() ‘Everyone is so excited.’ Photograph: Liz Barney/The GuardianĬlyde took his first wave on Thursday to huge cheers from the crowd.
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