Clyde Aikau, younger brother of Eddie Aikau, first rode Waimea Bay in 1969. Today, at 66 years of age, he remains one of the most psyched big wave riders on the planet. His voice is excited and as energized as a frothing teenager as he talks about his preparations. If the Bay calls the day, expect him to be ready to lead the charge of those invited to ride in his brother’s name. We caught up with him between training sessions and surfs at the Bay.
The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau will GO this Wednesday, February 10, at Waimea Bay. Organizers gave the event the green light early this-morning after consulting the latest round of forecasting models. This will be the 9th "Eddie" in 31 years. The event was last held in December of 2009, and was won by California's Greg Long.
Organizers anticipate a solid day of surf that will meet the event's strict wave face height requirement of 40 feet, with favorable light winds in the morning, turning light trades by afternoon.
"It has taken us six years to pull the trigger, but this is the first swell we have seen that is truly lining up as an Eddie swell," said Event Director Glen Moncata.
Moncata and the organizing team continue to confer with event patriarch George Downing, who has made the call on every event since its inception.
"As George has famously said, 'The Bay Calls the Day' and that will be Wednesday," added Moncata.
There will be various platforms on which to view the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau:
Watch on www.quiksilver.com/eddie and www.worldsurfleague.com
Via App: WSL App
The world’s 10 best under 18 surfers were in Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha, for the final of Quiksilver’s 2015 King Of The Groms. While they were there, Matt Hoy chatted to each of the groms for Stab magazine to talk all things surf.
"This was one of the most memorable afternoons for me from the #quikpro. I knew the waves would get good as soon as the tide started to push back in and I really wanted to shoot with Jeremy Flores. This was my last day and his as well before bailing to Portugal for the WCT event.
After a few minutes conversation on the phone, Jezza said he would come down for a surf, he had such a hectic, busy day and could have easily brushed me off. It was around 6pm and the light was amazing, the waves were so much fun. Jeremy destroyed it, going for big turns and airs. This was shot just down the track from where the Quiksilver WCT house is situated, not a bad peak to have out the front of your place.
To top off the afternoon, Josh Kerr who was also surfing with Jeremy came in, got dressed and walked over to me with a bag, the bag had a bottle of red wine, baguettes and other goodies. Jeremy came in and we sat and watched the sun go down on an epic afternoon in France."
A massive congratulations to Gabriel Medina. His first World Surf League event win for the 2015 season, making for an even more exciting title race with only 2 events remaining. Gabz just dominated the #quikpro from kick off, racking up two 10point rides on the way to the final. Highlights coming soon.
The Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro France, Stop No. 9 on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), ran in pumping conditions, deciding the men’s and women’s Quarterfinalists at Culs Nus. Huge crowds gathered on the water’s edge to witness an epic day of mind-blowing performances from the world’s best surfers.
Round 2 of the women’s event and Round 3 of the men’s event delivered high drama and huge upsets, defining Elimination Rounds.
Last week the doors at Galerie Joseph in Paris’ Las Marais quarter opened to an exhibition dedicated to the 30 year anniversary of The Eddie Big Wave invitational and the most iconic figures of Hawaiian surfing.
Anticipation had been mounting for months as Torquay locals watched the transformation of the old Quiksilver store morph into the new Boardriders Torquay, so on Friday night there was much to celebrate. Legends Tom Carroll, Matt Hoy and Mark Richards plus Matt Banting and local Cody Robinson joined the party along with 300 locals to get amongst the paella, beers and free barber haircuts as DJ Claire Elliott and Calling All Cars amped the crowd. Good vibes all round.
