Catch all the Action from the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big-Wave Invitational
As they say, the bay calls the day. And on December 22, just a few weeks into the official holding period of surfing’s most revered event, the necessary 40-foot-plus conditions to run The Eddie were met and the green light was given. Held in honor of Eddie Aikau, a North Shore lifeguard and big-wave surfer who sacrificed it all for others, only the most daring surfers receive a coveted invite to the event.
Among the surfers invited were OluKai ‘ohana Zeke Lau, Luke Shepardson, and Eala Stewart, each carrying their own deep respect for Eddie and the event’s storied history. By early afternoon, the swell began to take on a more menacing form, with maxed-out 40-foot sets and big-wave bravado setting the bay ablaze. As the day wore on, each ride, wipeout, and rescue felt monumental. But in the end, it was North Shore local Landon McNamara who claimed top honors with a perfect 50-point ride. “To win The Eddie, here at home, in front of my family—it’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of,” said McNamara.
Held only eleven times since its inception in 1984, The Eddie is a truly special event. As an event sponsor, OluKai is honored to support The Eddie and its legacy of uniting communities under the banner of aloha.
------------------------------------
The Path to the Eddie: Episode 1:
For generations, THE EDDIE ® Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau, has held a sacred place in the hearts of surfers from across the world. Held at Waimea Bay on O‘ahu’s North Shore, THE EDDIE is unlike anything else in the surfing world: part surf contest, part homage to a Hawaiian hero, all mesmerizing. To trigger the green light, only the most reef-shattering north swells, 40-feet and over, will kickstart the event.
Since its inception in 1984, this invitational has only run 10 times—a testament to the bone-crushing conditions needed to give the green-light. However, ask any waterman, and they’ll tell you it’s not just about the waves; it’s about honoring the spirit of Eddie Aikau, a man whose courage and aloha for others have become a rallying cry for surfers in Hawai‘i and abroad.
Named after Eddie Aikau—a heroic Hawaiian waterman, lifeguard, and surfer who gave his life trying to save others—has become the ultimate test of bravery, skill, and bravado. As Clyde Aikau, Eddie’s brother and former Eddie winner, said, “Eddie was about helping people, about living with aloha. That’s what this event is about, too—showing respect for the ocean and for each other.”
With the event only happening when the ocean is at its most unforgiving, the surfers chosen to compete aren’t just world-class athletes—they’re guardians of a legacy. So, what’s it like to receive the coveted invitation and prepare for surfing’s most heralded competition? To answer that, we follow three members of the ‘OluKai ‘ohana—Zeke Lau, Eala Stewart, and past-winner Luke Shepardson—as they train for The Eddie and await an invitation to write their names into surfing history.
The Path to the Eddie: Episode 2:
Meet Zeke Lau, one of the most powerful and explosive surfers of his generation. A proud Hawaiian with a deep reverence for Eddie’s legacy, Zeke knows full well the mental commitment and physical preparation needed to stand tall in this legendary lineup.
Regarded as one of the fittest men in the sport, Zeke’s dedication to training and experience as a competitor leave him hopeful for an invite, but with only a handful of surfers from all corners of the world chosen, only time will tell.
The Path to the Eddie: Episode 3:
Today we spotlight Luke Shepardson and Eala Stewart, two dynamic surfers with dreams of competing in the THE EDDIE® 2024 - 2025 Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau. Both O‘ahu locals with a deep reverence for Eddie's legacy, the event represents something much more than a surf contest—it's a pledge to always uphold his aloha spirit, both in and out of the water.
As the winner of the latest event, Luke—who like Eddie works as a North Shore Lifeguard—trains for the conditions day in and day out as a professional waterman. A true hometown hero, Luke hopes to once again find himself amid the invite-list.
Nearby, good friend and fellow North Shore local Eala Stewart, is vying for his first invitation. Eala, deeply considerate and undeniably fearless, represents the next generation of big-wave surfers. His stature in waves of consequence is cemented, with Eala routinely taming the most deadly waves on the planet, but will it be enough to earn him a place on the invitation list?
The Path to the Eddie: Episode 4:
Who made the cut?
Go behind the scenes with the athletes as they learn if they've received an invite into the most prestigious event in big-wave surfing, the THE EDDIE® 2024 - 2025 Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau.
