Event· Oahu· Hawaii
Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational (Waimea Bay)
21° 38.4′ N · 158° 3.8′ W
The Eddie: a one-day big-wave contest at Waimea Bay honoring the legendary North Shore lifeguard, held only when open-ocean swells reach 20 ft, which has happened only a handful of times since 1984 (most recently 2024).
Practical
Position is Waimea Bay (Wikipedia). The opening ceremony, the Blessing of Eddie Aikau, is held on the first Thursday of December; during the winter holding window invited surfers get 12 hours' notice of a call, and competition runs about 8 am to 5 pm. Crowds of up to 50,000 line Kamehameha Highway. Since 2024 sponsored by Rip Curl. Obviously no anchoring in Waimea Bay when it runs.
Best for
Witnessing 30-40 ft waves if the call comes
Season
December-February holding window; runs only on giant swells
Nearby
- Winter North Swell (Oahu North Shore)Right here
- Waimea Bay Summer Anchorage0.1 NM away
- Puu o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site0.3 NM away
- Three Tables0.3 NM away
- Foodland Pupukea (Waimea Bay)0.5 NM away
- Waimea Valley0.6 NM away
- Shark's Cove (Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District)0.7 NM away
- Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline1.6 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).