The Eddie
Waimea Bay, HAWAII, December 4, 2009
In statements fitting of the 25th anniversary of The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy, Contest Director George Downing and Aikau's brother Clyde stunned the gathered audience today when they announced that the event would run within the week. All forecasts point towards one of the largest swells to hit Hawaii in decades. The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is an ASP specialty sanctioned event.
"Seven, eight or nine," said Downing to an initially bewildered crowd. "It's gonna happen one of those days." Downing was referring to Monday, December 7, or Tuesday the 8th or Wednesday the 9th.
Today's ceremony was an overwhelming tribute, complete with the original Hokule'a voyaging canoe in Waimea Bay in the midst of a 15- to 18-foot swell. The Hokule'a is a symbol of great Hawaiian pride; a traditional double-hulled vessel that represents the original Polynesian voyage to the Hawaiian islands. It is also the same boat from which Aikau paddled for assistance in 1978, never to be seen again. Hokule'a had capsized in heavy seas in the Moloka'i Channel, injuring crew, en-route to Tahiti.
Clyde Aikau, winner of the 1987 Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, today led the paddle-out of this year's official Invitees and Alternates. Instead of gracing the lineup as they usually do, they circled the Hokule'a and paid respects to Aikau, joined by some of Eddie's original crewmates on the vessel he loved so dearly.
In statements fitting of the 25th anniversary of The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy, Contest Director George Downing and Aikau's brother Clyde stunned the gathered audience today when they announced that the event would run within the week. All forecasts point towards one of the largest swells to hit Hawaii in decades. The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is an ASP specialty sanctioned event.
"Seven, eight or nine," said Downing to an initially bewildered crowd. "It's gonna happen one of those days." Downing was referring to Monday, December 7, or Tuesday the 8th or Wednesday the 9th.
Today's ceremony was an overwhelming tribute, complete with the original Hokule'a voyaging canoe in Waimea Bay in the midst of a 15- to 18-foot swell. The Hokule'a is a symbol of great Hawaiian pride; a traditional double-hulled vessel that represents the original Polynesian voyage to the Hawaiian islands. It is also the same boat from which Aikau paddled for assistance in 1978, never to be seen again. Hokule'a had capsized in heavy seas in the Moloka'i Channel, injuring crew, en-route to Tahiti.
Clyde Aikau, winner of the 1987 Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, today led the paddle-out of this year's official Invitees and Alternates. Instead of gracing the lineup as they usually do, they circled the Hokule'a and paid respects to Aikau, joined by some of Eddie's original crewmates on the vessel he loved so dearly.
Labels: Vans surf
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