Quiksilver surf tourney will no longer be ‘The Eddie’
DENNIS ODA / FEB. 10, 2016
The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave surfing contest.
A breakdown between the family of Eddie Aikau and surf company Quiksilver likely means that the “Eddie” — the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau invitational big-wave surf competition — will not be held this season.
The Aikaus’ attorney, Seth Reiss, made the announcement Saturday at an awards luncheon for the winners of the Eddie Aikau Foundation’s student essay contest.
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“The family is proud of the event and appreciated the role Quiksilver played,” Reiss said in the statement. “That relationship ended earlier this year. There were substantial discussions between the family and Quiksilver about how the relationship could be continued, but in the end, no agreement was reached.”
Clyde Aikau, brother of the legendary waterman, said the disagreement with Quiksilver “has nothing to do with money,” but rather unresolved concerns the family had about the relationship.
Aikau declined to say what those concerns were but said more information would be shared on Monday at a scheduled news conference at the Aikau family home.
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The surf competition was first staged in 1984 to honor Eddie Aikau, an accomplished surfer and the first lifeguard to work along Oahu’s North Shore. He died in 1978 while attempting to get help for fellow crew members of the voyaging canoe Hokule‘a, which had overturned in waters off Molokai.
The contest required a minimum of 20-foot wave heights, and invited surfers and surfing fans around the world would wait anxiously from Dec. 1 to the end of February to see if the contest was a go.
The competition was staged just nine times in 32 years, the last time in February, when local surfer John John Florence took first place.
Clyde Aikau said his family still hopes to continue the competition but is trying to resolve ongoing permitting issues.
The city approved a permit for the upcoming December-to-February period but the application was specifically for Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau. With the two sides unable to come to terms on an agreement for continued sponsorship, that permit is not longer valid, Aikau said.
14 responses to “Quiksilver surf tourney will no longer be ‘The Eddie’”
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I thought Quiksilver the Company was on its last legs…….maybe this is a way to save a buck or two?
where ever there is a vacuum……..someone will jump in, if it fits their mission statement (and they got the $ to throw around………………..let’s see if some company will pick up the stick.
Qsilver is not native Hawaiian and has no prior rights to Waimea Beach Park, where the Aikau clan was surfing etc long before the sixties druggies took over north shore surfing. It is about money, about the Aikaus getting the shaft from Q when it comes to money. Eddie wasn’t about money – he was a natural world class athlete, in the sport of surfing, which was a native Hawaiian thing long before it became a Cali sixties thing along the N shore. Where’s KSBE with their billions of dollars, Clyde? Why aren’t they funding you?
sounds a bit too nativist. Surfing is enjoyed by all and should be. Westerners have dominated the international competitions for years.
What does “too nativist” mean? Not exploitative enough of our culture and place?
Racist.
Probably money. Also having the contest based on the size of the waves is hard. Costly to put up the events equipment only to take it down when there is no 20+ foot waves. Mostly year after year.
Maybe the ” hui ” brand should pick up the event .
No!
…..and have “Fast Eddie” and Brian Suratt skimming off the profits and putting their cronies in charge of running the event? Surely you jest! The Hui has come a long way from being associated with the Darker days of “The Black Trunk” gang,trust me …..I know.
I like Mythman’s suggestion.”Why not KSBE?” They got Da Bucks for it, more than Qsilver and it promotes one of Hawaii unique and famous sports,”Surfing”…….Originated in Hawaii,by Hawaiians!
Someone will step up and make this work. Just gotta to have patience. Hang in there!
Seth Reiss is not a guy I would hire.
In my experience, when somebody announces to the press that “it’s not about money” it’s usually about money.
The North Shore residents will appreciate the reduced traffic.
wrightj…….with the Eddie or Not,you’ll still have traffic! Jump in your car on the weekends and Holidays and try to drive from Sunset Beach to Haleiwa, normally a 20-25 min drive? Now? It’s Over an hour or two! Nay! the traffic is a result of the population growth on the North Shore,not so much the Eddie because it’s only for a few days,or Turtle Bay fro the same matter. It’s the Population!