So how cool was that?! You know, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational on January 22? Tens of thousands on hand to watch a select group of men and women give it up in the spirit of Eddie. An awe-inspiring moment for surfers, event organizers, visitors, and locals alike. What a great sense of pride must have been felt by everyone involved. Watching incredible footage on a national network newscast that night reiterated to me what a special event (in a special place) “the Eddie” truly is.
My nephew, an intrepid North Shore lifeguard, was on the alternate list, but his opportunity never came. Maybe next time… So, he simply and quietly headed out into the “foaming, merciless sea” (to quote Rap Reiplinger) on a jet ski to help make sure that everyone was safe, including land-based newcomers who ignore basic physics of large waves- yes, they sometimes come ashore.
Local newspaper quotes about the event said it all: surfers who felt “honored” to be invited; a visitor from Europe who called it a “religious ritual”; even the event winner, a Waimea lifeguard, who claimed, “I’m tripping… I’m still on duty”. Only in Hawai`i, eh?
My father, a solid swimmer in his day, took swimming lessons on Maui from legendary instructor, Soichi Sakamoto, during World War II, and insightfully told me when we first visited Oahu’s North Shore a half century ago, “Never fear the ocean, but always respect it…” True that, Dad.
This event is so revered that big-time surfers drop everything and scurry to get here in time. A number of years back, when measurements of the rolling waves at Waimea Bay were assessed, organizers called off the event right before it was about to begin, much to the chagrin of thousands waiting, and sponsorship moneys went unspent. Integrity, respect, honor, forthrightness, even bravery in the face of a marketing opportunity. Stunning qualities in an era leaning towards immediate gratification, selfies, influencers, tell-all tales, trolls, fake news, and, well… I digress.
The Eddie was a no go that day and for many years it’s been a non-event, occurring only 10 times in four decades. It’s for invitees only; a special group. Eddie would go– a simple phrase and simple praise for a humble, local legend who did go many times to save many people on Oahu’s North Shore. And this year, the Eddie did go.
Think about it…