HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is the premier surf event in the world, honoring the memory of Eddie Aikau.
“We’re running this event in the name of one of the biggest legends in the sport is surfing, who was a lifeguard here at Waimea Bay,” Liam McNamara, the event director explained. “The legacy, the history, the prestige, it’s just all there.”
McNamara said conditions are prime for the contest to run Sunday and he is expected to make the call at 8:30 a.m. Friday.
“We’re in a good place right now. we’re pretty confident,” McNamara said.
The three elements needed to green light the contest are aligning. The first requirement: wave heights. The Eddie requires consistent 40 foot surf, minimum and the swell needs to arrive by 8 a.m. Conditions and direction of the swell are also factors.
It will be only the 11th time the prestigious event has happened since 1984.