Kelly Slater at the 2009 Eddie Aikau

2009 Eddie Aikau Surf Meet, Waimea Bay, Hawaii. 8 December 2009

http://www.eddieaikaufoundation.org/index.htm

Edward Ryon Makuahanai "Eddie" Aikau (May 4, 1946 March 17, 1978) is one of the most respected names in surfing. He was the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay on the island of Oahu. He saved many lives and became well known as a big-wave surfer. "Eddie" was a true symbol of Aloha.

Born on the island of Maui, Aikau later moved to O'ahu with his family in 1959. In 1968, he became the first lifeguard hired by the City & County of Honolulu to work on the North Shore. Not one life was lost while he served as lifeguard at Waimea Bay. Eddie braved surf that often reached 20 feet high or more to make a rescue. He became very famous for surfing the bigHawaiian surf and won several surfing awards including First Place at the prestigious 1977 Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship. The local saying, "Eddie Would Go," refers to his stoke to take on big waves that other surfers would shy away from and his courage to make a rescue in impossible situations.

"Eddie" became involved in perpetuating his Hawaiian heritage. In 1976, the Polynesian Voyaging Society sailed the Hokule'a on a successful 30-day, 2500 mile journey following the ancient route of the Polynesian migration between the Hawaiian and Tahitian islands. In 1978, a second voyage of the traditional sailing canoe was planned. At 31 years of age, Aikau was selected for this voyage as a crew member. The Hokule'a left the Hawaiian Islands on March 16, 1978. The double-hulled voyaging canoe developed a leak in one of the hulls and later capsized in stormy weather about twelve miles south of the island of Molokai. In an attempt to get to land to save his crew and the Hokule'a, Aikau paddled toward Lanai on his surfboard. Hours later a commercial airplane spotted the Hokule'a and the rest of the crew was soon rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Aikau was missing at sea. Despite great search efforts "Eddie" was never seen again.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Kelly Slater
• Eddie Aikau
• Waimea Bay
• Hawaii
• Hawaii surf
• surfing
• surfers
• 2009

[bar65]

Ya, sorry. I was too excited for the next wave. :)

[Garo48]

I thought he wiped out also but I kept on filming at least!! Hahaha!! You can see the whole clip on my channel = Garo48

[gnarly73]

I reckon Kelly should have won with that wave as well!! He made it and critical placing!!

[mozdickson]

....you can see it at "Eddie Aikau 2009 - By Riff Raff Surfboards" tho. Aloha

[mozdickson]

oops, missed the best part! Looks like a winning wave from my laptop tho...

[TheUniversalWoman]

Videographer: FIRED. You missed the best part!

[kefster00]

learn to film. u missed me.

[Blurnanza]

yeah i was shocked too when i saw him still standing. i was just about to move to the next wave then at the corner of the viewfinder i saw him pop out. i think i got that clip in the video i made if you wanna check it out. click my name

[tainoindio9]

best ride of the eddie

[pookylooky]

kook

[serrambikilla]

=Yeah, till the shorebreak,