Posts Tagged ‘Eddie’

The 25th anniversary of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational ran today, December 8th, 2009, and it was a great one.  You can read part of my recap from spending the day at the bay in my Eddie Aikau 2009 Recap. You can also see some pictures from the day that I shot and uploaded to our site with my iPhone. One of Kala Alexander heading out and one of Kelly Slater heading out as well. Be sure to check by our Eddie section daily for video and photo updates from all our contributors at the bay.

And now, for the results. Below are the official final results of the Eddie Aikua Big Wave Invitational 2009 held at Waimea Bay.

UPDATE: Get the Complete Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational 2009 Results.

We showed up this morning at about 6:30 a.m., the north shore of Oahu was buzzing and the Waimea Bay was filled.  People (our friends included) had camped out overnight in their cars, on couches, on floors, and anywhere that was safe enough to catch some shut eye.  A couple guys and I decided to start the morning with coffee and an hour drive up the windward side of Oahu to avoid the rush.

When we got to the bay, the surf looked questionable Eddie size and there was a little disappointment in the air.  Local surfers were still charging and by sun up the lineup was filled with 30 or so guys.  Slowly, as the sun rose, the waves began to fill in and the size built.  By 7:30, Downing made the call and it was on.  The Eddie Aikau was a go for 2009, and boy, the bay would not dissapoint.

Immediately, Andy Irons and Kala Alexander got into waves.  Long lulls would followed, then huge sets.  The pattern continued.  The crowd around the bay grew and by 9:00 a.m. shortly into the second heat, the traffic jam started.  The sun was bright and the second heat featured Clyde Aikau and Kelly Slater.  A 98 from slater stepped up the pressure on the others.

Sunny Garcia in the next, and defending champ Bruce Irons.  The competition grew, the waves got bigger and the competitors didn’t back down.  When the day was done, multiple surfers pulled off the shorebreak cover-up that Bruce Irons scored a perfect 100 in 2004 with, including, brother Andy Irons, Jamie O’Brien, and Kelly Slater himself, multiple times.

In the end, it was Greg Long’s perfect 100 that catapulted him 10 points ahead of Kelly Slater for the win.  The top five finishers were.  More results will follow.

1. Greg Long
2. Kelly Slater
3. Sunny Garcia
4. Bruce Irons
5. Ramon Navarro

Local Kala Alexander headig out at the Eddie Aikau for the second round. Kala in green.

Kelly Slater heading out for the second heat of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay.

After a week of anticipation with huge surfing pounding the North Shore of Oahu for Vans Triple Crown of Surfing spectators got what they asked for. The running of the famed big wave surf competition, the Eddie Aikau Invitational!

I, like the rest of Oahu, am heading up to Waimea Bay, and like the rest of them, will be toting camera’s galore. So you’ll be sure to have photo updates as the day wears on. Check back often for updates under our Eddie Aikau Section.

For live updates and a video feed make sure to head over to Quiksilvers Eddie Site.