Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
North Shore prepares for the 25th Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 10:16

Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau

It's the story that sets an event apart. There is no fabricating the life of a man, the gigantic waves he rode with a passion, or the venue of symbolic cultural importance where he rode them.


What began as a local tribute to one of Hawaii's favorite surfing sons in 1984 - the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau - took on a life all its own. And the story is the reason why we will celebrate 25 years of the event this winter, perpetuating Aikau's life, legacy and spirit.

The universal appeal and strength of "The Eddie" is a testament to the human spirit it honors and that we all seek to connect with: a life lived with passion, dedicated with meaning, and exited from heroically. Aikau was all that. And this is his story.

Just 31 when he lost his life in an attempt to save others, Aikau has physically been gone now for as long as he was here: 31 years.

But far from being forgotten, his life, the waves he rode, and the lives he saved on his ancestral grounds at Waimea Bay have become a part of Hawaii's story, passed on from person to person around the world, like a wave seeking shore. Aikau is not just a part of surfing history, but a life story woven into the fabric of Hawaii.

Big wave events, big contest purses, big names of the day, they come and they go. But none tell a story like that of Eddie Aikau.

The indicators for a monster big wave winter on Oahu's North Shore are lining up and the anticipatory buzz surrounding the 25th Anniversary Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster, is audible.

September, the harbinger of winter waves, bolted out of the gates to set a record: four times as many days in the high surf category - 8-12 feet Hawaiian scale - than the 1968-2009 September average.

October continued the famous El Nino trend of clear skies, light winds and above average swell, and Hawaii's big wave season is officially underway, starting November.

It's been five years since Waimea Bay rose from her slumber: December 15, 2004. The day that Bruce Irons rode his way into the record books on the 20th anniversary of the event. Waimea Bay is stirring.

Source: Quiksilver


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

The best surf watches in the world
Wave Height Forecast
Wind Speed and Direction Forecast
Wave Period
Surf Videos
Surf Books
Surf Movies
Online Surfing Games

SURFING

Things you didn't know about surfing
23/05/2013
article thumbnail

The history of surfing is very rich. There are multiple facts and figures surrounding the evolution of wave riding, through time. Some are strange, others are deeply bizarre.
From the innovative surf gear to maritime science, surfing has been collecting stories, records and achievements. Did you know that... 1. The Hawaiian Islands are the most isolated archipelago on planet earth.
2. The windiest surf city in the world is Wellington, capital of New Zealand.
3. The tallest tsunami ever record [ ... ]


The surf earplugs that allow you to hear
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

The new Seals Balance Pro by EQ earplugs allow surfers to protect their ears and hear everything when wearing them.
When spring and summer start, everyone surfs more often. Also, all-year round surfers are more exposed to severe ear injuries, such as the surfer's ear (Exostosis) and swimmer's ear (Otitis). This problem can be developed after 3000 hours of cold water surfing. Neoprene hoodies and ear plugs are the best way to avoid surgery.


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

"Kite Surfer" is the new wind riding game for iOS
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Kite Surfer" is the latest kitesurfing game for iPhone and iPad.
Lemondo Entertainment has announced the release of its newest game, "Kite Surfer", an arcade kitesurfing game designed for both iPhone and iPad. "Kite Surfer" is an endless running game, in which players take control of a character by swiping on the display or tilting a mobile device.


Pudla Narapichit hailed Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champion
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Pudla Narapichit and Doque Delos Santos have been crowned the Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champions.
With 120 riders from 30 countries, the final and decisive Chinese stage once again broke all records, at Pingtan Island, also known as Haitan Island. The spot is regarded as China's windiest location - regular wind speeds of over 30 knots are recorded over the winter monsoon season and all of the island's old traditional style stone houses need to have rocks placed on top of their tiled roo [ ... ]


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Dieter van der Eyken dominates the 2013 Belgian Wave Windsurfing season
23/05/2013
article thumbnail

Dieter van der Eyken is one step closer of being crowned the 2013 Belgian Wave Windsurfing champion.
Bredene, in the Belgian province of West Flanders, held an intense weekend of wave windsurfing action. On Friday, all sailors completed the single elimination of the competition, despite the medium size waves and light winds.


Delphine Cousin stands out in the 2013 French Windsurfing Championship
23/05/2013
article thumbnail

Delphine Cousin is shining a light in the 2013 French Windsurfing Championship, with a victory in the second stage, held in Brest.
Despite the difficult conditions - three days of disoriented and gusty winds - sailors were able to complete two races. The organization worked hard to try to get more races, but even if the windsurfing fleet had spent many hours on the water every day, nothing could be done.


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

The story and legends of bodyboarding in "Born to Boogie"
23/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Born to Boogie: Legends of Bodyboarding" tells the story of the incredible sport of bodyboarding from 1971 to the modern days.
The pioneers, the champions and the underground chargers are all profiled, among them Tom Morey, Pat Caldwell, Ben Severson, Jay Reale, Mike Stewart, Michael 'Eppo' Eppelstun, Guilherme Tamega, Andre Botha, Ryan Hardy, Damian King, Ben Player, Jeff Hubbard, Mitch Rawlins and Pierre Louis Costes. "Born to Boogie: Legends of Bodyboarding" was written by the bodyboard  [ ... ]


Nuno Azevedo sweeps fourth Luso Galaico Championship title
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

Nuno Azevedo has conquered the bodyboarding division of the XV Luso Galaico Championship, a competition between Portuguese and Galician riders.
Up to 64 bodyboarders and surfers from the North of Portugal and the Spanish region of Galicia have competed at Cabedelo Beach and Arda Beach, in Viana do Castelo. With a mobile structure and a new live scoring system, the level of competition was high in the 2-4 foot waves on offer. Portuguese riders claimed four out of five titles at the XV Luso Ga [ ... ]


+ Bodyboarding News