Eddie Aikau - Big Wave Waimea invitational contest part 1

Edward Ryan Makua Hanai Aikau was a well-known Hawaiian lifeguard and surfer. As the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay on the island of Oahu, he saved many lives and became famous for surfing the big Hawaiian surf, winning several awards including the 1977 Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship.

In Aikau's honor, the surfwear company Quiksilver sponsors the “The Eddie" —the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay. The idea of the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational was created by Bruce Raymond and Bob McKnight.
Since its inception (Eddie Aikau's brother Clyde Aikau[8] won the first Eddie in 1985), the tournament has only been held seven times, due to a precondition that open-ocean swells reach a minimum of 20 feet. The contest only invites 28 big-wave riders to participate in two rounds of competition. The event does not allow the use of jet skis to tow surfers into the waves.

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