To the Eddie: See You Next Year!

2008 Eddie Opening Ceremony

As the six text messages (and counting) to my cell phone today reminded me, the holding period for the 2008 Eddie has closed  (Technically it closed on Feb. 28).  The Eddie (aka The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau) is the world’s preeminent big wave surfing contest (at least the when tow-ins aren’t included) and the conditions to hold it are so demanding that it’s only gone off seven times in 24 editions.

The contest requires one full day of 20-foot (Hawaiian) surf and this year came close with some big swells including some in the 20-foot range, but the contest didn’t happen.

Look for next year to have even more hype as the contest will celebrate its 25th anniversary.  See you in December.  Hopefully I won’t get too many text message between now and then…

And if you’re interested, here’s the previous winners of The Eddie.

1985 – Denton Miyamura (Hawaii)
1986 – Clyde Aikau (Hawaii) – Eddie Aikau’s younger brother
1990 – Keone Downing (Hawaii)
1999 – Noah Johnson (Hawaii)
2000 – Ross Clarke-Jones (Australia)
2002 – Kelly Slater (Florida)
2004 – Bruce Irons (Hawaii)