The surf forecast is showing 20-40′ faces coming this Thursday, which means there’s a good chance that the Big Wave Invitational in memory of Eddie Aikau will go off. Start preparing your excuses to call in work, and head up to Waimea Bay early in the day…traffic gets crazy for this event.
For more info visit the Quicksilver site
Surfer Mag posted a unique behind the scenes perspective of Bruce Irons at the Eddie 2009. Watch it here.
Yesterday, December 8th 2009, was the first time since 2004 that the Eddie was a go. By 8am Waimea Bay was packed full of people watching the first heats paddle out into 40′+ waves.
Spectators in awe of a huge set pounding the shore
As if you needed a sign…
House size swell
Sharks Cove, normally a tranquil snorkeling kid-friendly lagoon, today a treacherous washing machine of explosive water.
Pulling into the close out shore break after a long ride from the outside.
Thousands packed in all the way around the bay
Another long ride into the shore pound.
Wall of water
Struggling to get out of the shore break
Surrounded by white wash
Kelly Slater preparing to take one on the head…all to amuse the screaming spectators.
Mountains of water
There is a gigantic swell heading towards the north shore of Oahu right now. They’re predicting faces of 30-40′ on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
This means that there’s a great chance that the Big wave invatational in memory of Eddie Aikau will go off.
Excited to feel the rumble of the waves breaking on the shore 
Yesterday they announced the invitee list to the Quiksilver Big wave invitational In Memory of Eddie Aikau (aka, “The Eddie”). The holding period for this event is December 1 through February 28, with the opening ceremony being held at Waimea Bay at 2pm onDecember 3rd.
Here’s the invite list:
Andy Irons, Hawaii
Brian Keaulana, Hawaii
Brock Little, Hawaii
Bruce Irons, Hawaii
Carlos Burle, Brazil
Clyde Aikau, Hawaii
Darryl Virostko, California
Greg Long, California
Jamie O’Brien, Hawaii
Jamie Sterling, Hawaii
Kelly Slater, Florida
Keone Downing, Hawaii
Makuakai Rothman, Hawaii
Mark Healey, Hawaii
Michael Ho, Hawaii
Noah Johnson, Hawaii
Peter Mel, California
Reef McIntosh, Hawaii
Ross Clarke-Jones, Australia
Rusty Keaulana, Hawaii
Shane Dorian, Hawaii
Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
Titus Kinimaka, Hawaii
Tom Carroll, Australia
Grant “Twiggy” Baker, South Africa
Ibon Amatriain, Euskadi
Ramon Navarro, Chile
Takayuki Wakita, Japan
The best way to know when this event will go off is to sign up for text notifications.
Now lets just cross our fingers for some big swells over the next couple months.
Now that I have your attention, I’m excited to announce that this year’s surf film festival will premiere 4 new surf films in Hawaii. The festival kicks off on July 10 and ends on July 24, with opening / closing nights offering free beer and cheap tasty grindz.
The event will be held at the Doris Duke Theater. The Academy will raffle off a prized Wade Tokoro surfboard. Everyone who purchases a ticket will be entered in the raffle.
Here is a rundown of the films and dates that they’ll be showing:
[youtube width="570" height="444"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JevPyyrRSS4[/youtube]
Opening Night – Friday July 10 at 7:30 pm
Oahu’s Lance Arinaga will introduce his film Icons2. Expected to attend opening night are pros Hank Gaskell, Jun Jo, Daniel Jones, Mikala Jones, Jason Shibata (who is also the marketing director of Contrast magazine), and Nick Mita.
[youtube width="570" height="444"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT8HAx0tVSc[/youtube]
Show times:
Saturday, July 11
1 pm, 4 pm, and 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 12
1 pm, 4 pm, and 7:30 pm
Tuesday, July 15
1 pm and 7:30 pm
[youtube width="570" height="444"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urtbRmPuLpk[/youtube]
Show times:
Wednesday, July 15
1 pm and 7:30 pm
Thursday, July 15
1 pm and 7:30 pm
[youtube width="570" height="444"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKM0bsq92cE[/youtube]
Sipping Jetstreams is one of my favorite surf films. Always gets me stoked and eager to travel.
Show times:
Friday, July 17
1 pm and 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 18
1 pm, 4 pm, and 7:30 pm
[youtube width="570" height="444"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1Q3LTFvwZg[/youtube]
Show times:
Sunday, July 19
1 pm, 4 pm, and 7:30 pm
Tuesday, July 21
1 pm and 7:30 pm
Wednesday, July 22
1 pm and 7:30 pm
[youtube width="570" height="444"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpvwZgHrvT0[/youtube]
Show times:
Thursday, July 23
1 pm and 7:30pm
Friday, July 24
1pm and 7:30pm (Closing Night)
For more info Visit the Honolulu Academy of Arts