The Eddie Aikau Big Wave International just concluded in Hawaii. Last contested in 2016, the ‘Super Bowl of Surfing’ returned after 7 years and found a new champion to crown. A local, on-duty lifeguard from Waimea beach, Oahu, Hawaii won one of the most prestigious competitions in surfing. The competition, named after another life-saving guard from Waimea, produces some of the largest waves that range up to 20-30 feet and sometimes even 40 feet. When the current winner from Oahu took on one such massive wave at this year’s contest, fans went crazy.
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In a small YouTube clip, we see the surfer catch the biggest wave of the day just before Round 1 ends. The giant wave ‘swallows’ him in no time but he eventually makes it through.
Fans are impressed after Luke Shepardson catches a giant wave at The Eddie
Luke Shepardson, the present hero of the North shore of Oahu, said it was his “dream come true” in an interview with KHON-TV. But he didn’t just participate, Shepardson won the competition in his first attempt. On his tackle of a 40 ft high wave, fans went berserk.
“That wave feels like the embodiment of Eddie would go. Huge, closeout, and scary.. still he’d go for the hell of it!”
“Right winner imo 💪”
“Congratulations Luke!!!! Big Mahalo to all the North Shore Lifeguards for leading the way in Water Safety 🤙”
“Winning while on the clock lol Congratulations Luke”
“The force was with him”
While most were congratulatory of Shepardson’s efforts, some as always were critical. One fan even compared it to the iconic scene in Point Break by Kathryn Bigelow. Someone even asked him to do a 360
“It’s a scene from point break..”WILL GET HIM ONCE HE COMES BACK IN”…he’s not coming back 🤪”
“Should have done a 360…”
“Real big wave surfing HAWAII!?????”
Shepardson steals the limelight at the return of The Eddie
The Eddie Aikau competition returned this year with a bang in Hawaii. After a false start a few weeks ago, Oahu was sunny and ready this morning for the Eddie. Waves sometimes towered between 40-50 feet, and at least 50,000 people packed the beach to watch the competition. 40 different surfers from different parts of the world thronged for the occasion. And in the end, there was one winner from the lifeguard services in Oahu.
A little ironic that the “best day in surfing history,” as big-wave world champ Billy Kemper described it, had nothing to do with the WSL, surf brands or even, as the winner was announced on the beach, a professional surfer. https://t.co/MM8LzttXkw via @thebitchycrab
— BeachGrit (@thebitchycrab) January 23, 2023
Luke Shepardson seized the day and every moment in it. Scoring a perfect 89.1 out of 90, he took the championship trophy. He now joins other greats such as John John Florence (2016), Kelly Slater (2002), Noah Johnson (1999), and Clyde Aikau (1987).
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