The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau and the Billabong Monster Tow-in Surf Session will not be run in 2012. The big wave surf contests demand a solid day of 20-foot-plus waves at Waimea Bay (Hawaii) and Mullaghmore Head (Ireland), but it didn't happen in the holding period.
The last Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau was last held in December of 2009, and it was won by California's Greg Long.
"As much as we'd like to see this dedication run every year, the event is committed to meeting the criteria of 20 feet," said contest director George Downing.
"Those special winters of Eddie-sized waves seem to only come around every three to five years, so a season like this is to be expected."
Last year's inaugural Billabong Monster Tow-In Surf Session witnessed epic conditions, with waves in the 25 feet range. This time, the infamous Irish surf sanctuary didn't send the epic surf everyone was waiting for.
The Mavericks Invitational 2011/2012 still has hopes of sending the green light to all invitees.
Several ground swells have been warming up Half Moon Bay, but still do not produce what it takes to run the show: really big gnarly waves. Until March 31st, hope and stoke walk together.
In Spain, the inaugural Billabong Mundaka Challenge is set to bring back the world's best tube riders to Mundaka, one of the world's best waves.
A three-month waiting period starting from 15th January 2012 has been put in place to ensure the one-day event will score flawless conditions and a minimum wave size of 6 to 8 feet.
Let's see if Mundaka is lucky.
Europe and North America have been enjoying a splendid medium-size winter surf season, but the big toys are still making their way to the best surf big wave surf spots in the world.
Patience is a virtue.