Will ‘Eddie’ go? Perhaps Thursday
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Despite the hype, anticipation and extensive preparations, the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave competition was called off Feb. 10 when the anticipated 40- to 50-foot swell didn’t show up on time.
The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau issued a yellow alert for the big wave surf contest, a signal that a swell big enough to hold the contest may be on its way, organizers announced this morning.
A yellow alert means the call to ‘go’ will be made at the beach on Thursday morning, not before.
If the contest is a go, it will be an 8 a.m. start, organizers said.
Running the Eddie requires about 6 to 8 hours of consistent 40-foot surf (20 feet by Hawaiian measurements) during the day at Waimea Bay.
Current forecasts call for warning-level surf to arrive Wednesday night and for the swell to peak Thursday morning.
Winds will likely be from the northeast, which is favorable for good surfing conditions. However, a weak cold front is also forecast to arrive on Oahu Wednesday into Thursday, bringing an increased chance of rain and potential changes in winds, which could also be a factor in whether the contest is held.
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The contest was almost a go on Feb. 10, but it was called off that morning when the anticipated 40 to 50-foot swell didn’t show up on time.
The holding period for the Eddie continues until Feb. 29.
The contest has only run eight times in its 31-year history because conditions haven’t been exactly right. The last time the contest was held was in 2009.
The event’s namesake, Eddie Aikau, was the first lifeguard on Oahu’s North Shore. Aikau lost his life in 1978 while attempting to get help for crewmates aboard the Hokule’a, a traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe that capsized in rough seas en route to Tahiti.
15 responses to “Will ‘Eddie’ go? Perhaps Thursday”
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Wishing and hoping!
i’m glad they said “perhaps” instead of eddie will be ON this coming thursday..what a booboo call they made the other week..looks like everyone might be calling in sick again..perhaps
Eddie would not wait, he would go today.
“EDDIE” done went already..; they jus nevvah see heem…
Not again…
Eddie! Go and don’t come back. Ever hear the story of the kid that called Wolf too often?
But, it’s not like no swell shows up. You’re dealing with Mother Nature. If it’s not big enough, it’s a no-go. If it’s big enough, they go.
Wen was the last Eddie? December 2009? I think it’s a ploy by the North Shore merchants to drum up business.
Yes, they have the power to control the waves.
Another person commented Eddie would go today. Yeah, I think Eddie would not be so demanding for perfect waves. The organizers need to take a step back to see the Forrest for the trees.
If Eddie go, if Eddie no go, das okay, Quicksilver and all the businesses making money, in fact even more so when it’s on again, off again, on again, isn’t that what it’s about?
It’s more trouble than the event is worth, they should move it to a location that can accommodate the crowds and parking problems that go along with this event. No one like to be stuck in traffic for hours because of some surf contest.
Somewhere like Aloha Stadium?? great idea!
Should have em in the middle of Molokai channel. That’s where Eddie went.
According to Glen Moncata the February 10th cancellation cost $300,000.00 which would be “absorbed” by title sponsor Quicksilver. In late January 2016 Quicksilver was approved for restructuring of $800 million of debt from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Hurry up Eddie before things fold up.