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DENNIS ODA / FEBRUARY 2016
This year’s opening ceremonies will kick off Nov. 29.
Heads up surf fans, “The Eddie” is returning to Waimea Bay this winter.
After Quiksilver pulled out of “The Eddie” two years ago, the big-wave surfing event returns with new sponsors.
This year’s opening ceremonies will kick off Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. with a holding period from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28, 2019. The surfing contest only runs when waves consistently reach 20 feet or more. The contest is named after Eddie Aikau, who braved 30-foot waves to save lives as a lifeguard on the North Shore.
>> Funding likely to determine whether the Eddie will still go
>> ‘The Eddie’ surf contest loses Quiksilver’s sponsorship
There will be 28 surfers and alternates invited to compete in the event, including 2016 winner John John Florence.
“With all eyes on Waimea Bay in 2016, The Eddie is the biggest surfing event ever,” said an announcement on the website. “There were over 1.2 million views of the live stream from fans from more than 200 countries around the world.”
In the past, Eddie Aikau’s family struggled to hold the contest as a result of limited resources. This year’s sponsors include Kamehameha Schools, OHA, Waimea Valley, DTL, Salt + Air Studios, L&L Hawaii and Duke’s Waikiki.
Visit theeddieaikau.com for more details.
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