Below, they share their thoughts on Eddie’s life, legacy, and the Doodle:Ī legendary surfer and lifeguard for the City & County of Honolulu, Eddie Aikau was one of the greatest big wave riders in the world. Special thanks to the Eddie Aikau Foundation for their partnership on this Doodle. Today, Eddie’s legacy lives on through the Eddie Aikau Foundation as well as the prestigious Eddie Aikau Invitational, which has seen some of big-wave surfing’s greatest names competing with maximum respect for the authenticity of surf culture. Eddie was last seen heroically paddling off on his surfboard towards the nearest island to seek help for the crew, who were later rescued by the U.S. The vessel sprung a leak and capsized in rough waters. In 1978, Eddie joined the crew of the Hokule'a, a historically accurate double-hulled canoe retracing the ancient Polynesian migration route to Hawaii. Aside from his distinguished surfing career, Eddie found other ways to represent the culture of his native island. Hailing from a surfing family, Eddie was one of the first native Hawaiians to win the prestigious Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship in 1977, just four years after his older brother Clyde, who was the very first. His fearlessness went on to inspire the slogan “Eddie would go.” Eddie was famous for making rescues even in surf that reached 30 feet high. Not a single life was lost while he served as a lifeguard at Waimea Bay, making some 500 rescues without the assistance of a jet ski or any modern equipment. ![]() Born on the island of Maui on this day in 1946, Eddie moved to Oahu with his family in 1959 and went on to become the first lifeguard hired by Honolulu officials to work on the North Shore of the island. Stay tuned to see if another day of competition is possible as conditions on Waimea Bay are being monitored closely.Today’s Doodle celebrates Eddie Aikau, big wave surfer, lifeguard, and enduring symbol of Hawaiian heritage. This is his first victory in the event since 1987, and at 57 years old, he is now the oldest winner in history. Right now, it looks like the waves will be large enough for another day of surfing, but only time will tell for sure.Ĭlyde Aikau is back on top after winning the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational surfing competition. The waves have to reach a certain height-20 feet or higher-in order for the event to continue. The conditions on Waimea Bay are being monitored closely in case another day of competition is possible. ![]() After all of the scores were tallied, it was announced that Aikau had won first place with a total score of 27.33 out of a possible 30 points. Many of the surfers took some impressive wipeouts, but Aikau managed to stay on his board and catch some massive waves. The waves were huge and the action was non-stop during Thursday’s competition. When asked about his thoughts on the competition, Aikau said: “It’s just nice to be able to compete again…It feels good.” Action from the Competition He joined the other surfers who were already out there catching some impressive rides. Aikau Paddles Out to Join the CompetitionĪs soon as the competition started, Clyde Aikau was out on his surfboard and paddling towards the huge waves. Here’s a look at how the competition unfolded. The conditions on Waimea Bay were perfect for big wave surfing, with waves reaching heights of 30 feet. This was his first time winning the event since 1987, and at age 57, Aikau is now the oldest winner in the history of the competition. On Thursday, March 1st, 2018, Clyde Aikau won the prestigious Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational surfing competition. Today’s surf competition on the north shore at Waimea is definitely the Superbowl of Hawaiian sports as thousands of people lined the beaches to watch some of the most legendary surfers take on the largest waves of the year, sets we’re 40 and 50 foot. It just goes to show that age is relative, here 66 year old brother of legendary Eddie Aikau takes off on a 35 foot wave in his heat.
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