Trumbull’s surfing committee relays that the memorial Eddie Aikau Invitational big wave surf contest is happening today (now) at the legendary Waiemea Bay in Oahu, Hawaii. Eddie Aikau was a famed surfer from Oahu who saved dozens of lives as a Waiemea Bay lifeguard. In 1978, at the age of 32, he went out with a crew tracing the ancient sea route between Hawaii and the Tahitian Islands. Their canoe capsized, and Eddie swam the 12 miles to shore to get help. He was not seen again.1 The first memorial contest was held in 1985, and was won by Eddie’s brother Clyde. Now at the ripe old age of 60, Clyde has surfed in every event since his inaugural win, and is surfing today. Contest rules stipulate that open-ocean swells the day of the contest be at least 20 feet high (meaning 30-foot waves), which has not always been the case. Today is only the eighth time Eddie’s memorial contest has been held.
Eddie would go. Eddie wouldn’t tow.
- The rest of the crew was later saved by the Coast Guard.