Sport

Four from SA vie for spots in 'The Eddie'

13 August 2010

Public polling has begun for the 26th annual Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, which will feature the world's best big wave paddle-in surfers. More than 70 surfers are posted on the polling list, including four South Africans.

Grant "Twiggy" Baker, who contested the prestigious event last year, is a leading contender for an invite. Thanks to his outstanding accomplishments in big wave events all around the world, he is a top gun on the radar of big wave surfing fans.

Baker won the famous Mavericks big wave contest in 2006. He also claimed the Ride of the Year category at the 2010 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards.

Jason Ribbink, who like Baker is from Durban, was selected as one of the 2008 invitees but never got to compete in the event as the 24th edition didn't take place.

Andrew Marr and Chris Bertish, both of Cape Town, have also been drafted into the poll and stand a good chance of being selected due to their reputations in big solid surf.

Bertish made his intentions clear by winning the 2010 Mavericks contest ahead of a very strong international field in some of the biggest surf yet seen in a competition.

Vote

Ultimately, the field will be whittled down to an elite line-up of only 24 invitees. Voting on the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau poll page closes on 31 August and is limited to one vote per voter.

The competition will be run between 1 December 2010 and 28 February 2011 at Waimea Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, when the waves reach a minimum height of 20 feet. An opening ceremony on 2 December will bring together the Aikau Ohana (family) and selected invitee and alternate competitors.

A testament to the global appeal of Aikau's story, "The Eddie" has grown to be the world's longest-running and most respected big wave specialty event.

First staged at Sunset Beach in the winter of 1984/85, then moved to Waimea in 1985/86, it has been held eight times.

Its strict adherence to wave height stipulations has only served to underscore the authenticity and importance of the event. Past champions are Denton Miyamura (1985), Clyde Aikau (1986), Keone Downing (1990), Noah Johnson (1999), Ross Clarke-Jones (2001), Kelly Slater (2002), Bruce Irons (2004), and Greg Long (2009).

On December 8, 2009, during the most epic big wave season on record, the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau was staged in breath-taking waves as tall as palm trees. Images and stories from that day reached the largest international audience in history for a surfing competition.

Honouring Eddie Aikau

The competition is staged in honour of Waimea Bay's first official lifeguard and Hawaii's most famous big-wave rider. A humble Hawaiian surfer, Aikau set the bar for big wave riding at Waimea Bay in the '60s and '70s.

A natural born waterman, he saved countless lives during his watch as Waimea Bay lifeguard. He also traveled as one of the first touring professional surfers in the mid-'70s when he was ranked among the world's top 16.

During his travels Aikau touched countless lives around the world as he voluntarily delivered a personal message of aloha from Hawaii, often accompanied by his younger brother Clyde and their slack-key guitar playing that was famous for bringing people together.

Aikau lost his life at the age of 31, during an ill-fated voyage of the Hokule'a sailing canoe in 1978. En-route to Tahiti from Oahu, the Hokule'a capsized in the Molokai Channel in heavy weather and giant seas, injuring crewmembers.

Aikau was last seen paddling for the Hawaiian Islands to get help. His life, spirit of aloha, and passion for the ocean and mankind is celebrated annually through the big wave event. His is arguably the most famous story in surfing.

This year's list of potential invitees includes big wave riders from South Africa, Australia, Europe, South America, Japan, USA, and Hawaii.

SAinfo reporter