Under the glow of a Hawaiian sunrise, Waimea Bay awakened to host one of the most prestigious surfing events in the world: the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. It was time to go.
Thousands of spectators had already claimed their vantage points by the early hours, transforming the iconic North Shore cliffs into a buzzing amphitheater of anticipation.
As the event's green light was confirmed, the ocean swelled with raw power, delivering on its promise of monster waves and heroic performances.
You could feel the tension in the air and the nerves as athletes started to put on their color jerseys.
The Eddie, named after the legendary waterman Eddie Aikau, demands courage, skill, and a connection to the ocean's mana - and this year, the competition honored that legacy in spectacular fashion.
Eddie would go, and Eddie went.
A Swell Worth the Wait
Despite an uncertain forecast for the upcoming hours, the first heat delivered, with defending champion Luke Shepardson setting the tone.
Known for his understated demeanor and impeccable timing, Shepardson, who took the title last year while juggling lifeguard duties, captured one of the morning's standout waves, thrilling the crowd with his precision under a towering 40-foot lip.
From there, the day only intensified. The morning glow was gone, and the sports arena became a scary terminal of giant mountains of moving water.
Each heat brought liquid walls of increasing size and ferocity, challenging even the most big wave riders.
The Hawaiian Water Patrol worked tirelessly to retrieve surfers from punishing wipeouts as Waimea flexed her power with sets that resembled heavy-weight avalanches.
Moments of Madness and Seconds of Glory
The Eddie is as much about the spectacle as the competition, and the 2024 edition didn't disappoint.
From daring drops to dramatic shorebreak antics, the surfers left everything in the water. Curiously, there weren't many broken boards and serious injuries.
Known for his flamboyant style, Mason Ho turned the shallow, pounding shorebreak into his stage. Not that that's a surprise to many.
His airborne wipeout, complete with flailing arms and a midair twist, had the crowd roaring with delight.
Despite the theatrics, Ho's consistency across heats earned him a well-deserved runner-up finish. And, as always, he was having fun where most would only find fear.
Also, in a fitting finale, Nathan Florence claimed the day's last wave, standing tall with arms raised in a defiant salute before disappearing into a thunderous barrel.
It was a moment that encapsulated the spirit of the Eddie: fearless and unyielding.
This man has been on fire - just a few days ago, he won the Pipe Masters.
Meanwhile, the wahine brought their own firepower to the contest, with surfers like Moana Jones Wong and Flick Palmateer riding waves that left the crowd in awe.
This was women's big wave surfing at its best.
A Champion Emerges
However, the day's most memorable ride belonged to Landon McNamara.
In the penultimate heat, the North Shore local paddled into what seemed an impossible drop.
As the lip pitched over, McNamara knifed his way down the face, absorbed the impact of the wave's full force, and emerged victorious with arms raised high.
"The entire ocean landed on his shoulders, and he still came out successful," one announcer declared.
The ride earned McNamara a perfect 50-point score, securing his place as the 2024 Eddie champion.
For McNamara, the win carried deep significance.
"I was following a turtle out there," he said, reflecting on his connection to the ocean and the legacy of Eddie Aikau.
"They say Eddie picks a winner, and I'm so grateful he picked me."
Honoring Eddie's Legacy
The emotional weight of the event extended beyond the surf.
During the closing ceremony, Greg Long, a former Eddie champion, bid farewell to competitive wave-riding, reflecting on two decades of memories at Waimea Bay.
"I was invited 20 years ago as an alternate. It was a dream come true for me. Winning in 2009, I never expected it, and it was my greatest surfing accomplishment," said Long.
"Two decades, some of my greatest memories, and remembering Eddie Aikau and his spirit and his legacy."
"He was an exemplary human being who cared about his family and gave his life in service of others. That legacy continues to live on."
As the finalists were announced - Jamie O'Brien was fourth, Billy Kemper took third, and Mason Ho claimed second - the crowd erupted in cheers.
But it was McNamara's victory speech, delivered with humility and gratitude, that left a lasting impression on all in attendance.
And let's not forget that McNamara is the first goofy-footer to win the acclaimed event.
The Eddie Aikau Invitational was once again a celebration of Hawaiian culture and a test of human bravery. As the legendary waterman would've wanted it.
With Rip Curl backing the event as a major sponsor, fans are already hoping for next year's swell to align to make the Eddie possible once more.
2024-2025 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational | Results
- Landon McNamara
- Mason Ho
- Billy Kemper
- Jamie O'Brien
- Nick Lamb
- Luke Shepardson
- Nathan Florence
- Kai Lenny
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