WAIMEA VALLEY, Hawaii (KHON2) — The 2025-2026 Rip Curl Eddie Big Wave Invitational invitees and alternates have been announced.
On Oct. 1, The Eddie Aikau Foundation released the names of the 32 invitees and 28 alternates selected to compete in the prestigious big wave competition.
The announcement was made this morning by The Eddie Aikau Foundation on YouTube. The selected surfers were also notified via Instagram.
This year’s invitees include past winners such as Landon McNamara (2024), Luke Shepardson (2023), John John Florence (2016), Kelly Slater (2002) and Ross Clarke-Jones (2001).
2025-2026 Invitees
- Aaron Gold of Oʻahu
- Annie Reickert of Maui
- Bianca Valenti of California
- Billy Kemper of Maui
- Chad Keaulana of Oʻahu
- Eala Stewart of Oʻahu
- Eli Olson of Oʻahu
- Emily Erickson of Oʻahu
- Ezekiel Lau of Oʻahu
- Grant “Twiggy” Baker of South Africa
- Haʻa Aikau of Oʻahu
- Jake Maki of Oʻahu
- Jamie Mitchell of Australia
- Jamie O’Brien of Oʻahu
- Joey Cadiz of Oʻahu
- John John Florence of Oʻahu
- Justine Dupont of France
- Kai Lenny of Maui
- Kelly Slater of Florida
- Koa Rothman of Oʻahu
- Landon McNamara of Oʻahu
- Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca of Brazil
- Luke Shepardson of Oʻahu
- Makua Rothman of Oʻahu
- Mark Healey of Oʻahu
- Mason Ho of Oʻahu
- Matahi Drollet of Tahiti
- Nathan Florence of Oʻahu
- Nic von Rupp of Portugal
- Ross Clarke-Jones of Australia
- Russell Bierke of Australia
- Torrey Meister of Maui
2025-2026 Alternates
Kāne
- Cliff Kapono of Hawaiʻi
- Mikey O’Shaughnessy of Oʻahu
- Isamu Sumi of Japan
- Tom Lowe of England
- Kaiwi Berry of Oʻahu
- Ty Simpson-Kane of Maui
- Michael “Mitch” Sanborn of Oʻahu
- Kala Grace of Oʻahu
- Albee Layer of Maui
- Tiger Doerner of Oʻahu
- Ian Walsh of Maui
- Othmane Choufani of Morocco
- Tyler Larronde of Maui
- Taio Shipman of Oʻahu
- Jojo Roper of California
- Koa Smith of Oʻahu
- Francisco Porcella of Italy
- Matt Bromley of South Africa
- Shinpei Horiguchi of Japan
- Kona Oliveira of Oʻahu
- Wilem Banks of California
- Barron Mamiya of Oʻahu
Wāhine
- Anne Dos Santos of Brazi
- Paige Alms of Maui
- Laura Enever of Australia
- Makani Adric of Oʻahu
- Tiare Lawrence of Maui
- Zoe Chait of California
“The Eddie Aikau Foundation analyzed the results from the last two Eddies that ran in 2023 and 2024. We incorporated additional selection criteria from that data. We conducted a lot of research into the history and experiences of the big wave surfers under consideration. We have
a mix of surfers from Hawaiʻi, the mainland and international as well that we feel will represent the spirit and legacy of Eddie Aikau,” said Linda Ipsen, the president of the Eddie Aikau Foundation.