Updated at 8:55 a.m., Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Swell not large enough to launch 'Eddie' invitational
Advertiser Staff
Although a large swell is just beginning to materialize at Waimea Bay this morning, organizers have decided against starting the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau competition."We should start seeing some large sets in the 15-18 foot range here this afternoon, but it won't be big enough to run the event," said contest director Glen Moncata on a Quiksilver Web site posting.
The contest runs on a single day when waves reach traditional heights of at least 20 feet at Waimea Bay. Because of its stringent standards, the "Eddie" has been completed just seven times since its creation in 1984. It was last completed in December 2004, when Kaua'i's Bruce Irons won it.
The contest was created to honor Waimea Bay lifeguard and big-wave surfer Eddie Aikau, who was lost at sea during an attempt to save the voyaging canoe Hokule`a in 1978.
Twenty-four big-wave surfers are invited each year to compete in the contest.
