![]() In honor of Aikau's memory the surf wear company Quicksilver has held the regular surfing tournament the Quicksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau in Aikau's beloved Waimea Bay. Coast Guard, Eddie's body was alas never found despite the efforts of an extensive manhunt. Although all the other crew members were eventually rescued by the U.S. After the canoe developed a leak in one of its hulls and subsequently capsized, Aikau decided to paddle back to shore on his surfboard in order to get help. Clyde, who is now 66, competed Thursday in what he said would be his last Eddie. Darryl Oumi / Getty Images Clyde Aikau on Feb. In 1978 Eddie volunteered as a crew member for a canoe voyage from Hawaii to Tahiti. The contest was started in the 1980s to honor Aikaus memory, and his younger brother Clyde Aikau won the first Eddie held at Waimea Bay in 1987. Eddie won first place in the prestigious Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship contest in 1977. Well known for his exceptional courage and selfless nature as well as for the fact that no one ever drowned at sea on his watch, Aikau was named Lifeguard of the Year in 1971. One of the first surfers to make a name for himself braving and besting the monster waves at the beach in Waimea Bay, Eddie in 1968 became the first lifeguard to be hired by the City & County of Honolulu to work on the North Shore. Aikau dropped out of high school at age sixteen and bought his first surfboard with the money he made working at a Dole pineapple cannery. Eddie began surfing at age eleven and moved with his family to the Hawaiian island of O'ahu in 1959. He saved many lives and became well known as a big-wave surfer. He was the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay on the island of Oahu. Aikau grew up in Lahaina and attended St. Edward Ryon Makuahanai 'Eddie' Aikau ( March 17, 1978) is one of the most respected names in surfing. Then while checking my emails I discovered o. The son of Solomon and Henrietta Aikau, Eddie was the third in a family of six children. A few weeks ago I thought I wouldnt have the opportunity to ever surf in the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. But Aikau disappeared and his body was never found.Champion surfer and lifeguard Edward Ryon Makuahanai Aikau was born on in Maui, Hawaii. ![]() Aikau paddled away on his surfboard to raise the alarm and the rest of the crew were later rescued. The winner evoked memories of the man the event is named after The Eddie is held in honour of the late Eddie Aikau, like Shepardson a Hawaiian surfer and lifeguard – the first one on Oahu’s North Shore.Īikau saved more than 500 people during his career but during a journey in 1978 re-enacting an ancient route of Polynesian migration between Hawaii and Tahiti, the voyaging canoe he was aboard capsized. As he joined Florence and other previous winners including Kelly Slater, Bruce Irons and Ross Clarke Jones, he was hoisted up in celebration on the beach – still clad in distinctive yellow and red life-savers attire. Shepardson, 27, scored 89.1 points out of a possible 90 to claim the title and $10,000 prize money. ![]() I’ve got to get back to the tower to make sure everyone’s OK until the end of the day.” The waves were huge, and it was a dream come true just to be part of The Eddie, just to be on the alternate list. “I told myself, ‘I’m in it because I can win it,” Shepardson said. ![]()
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