The most anticipated surfing competition of the 2009 year was held December 9 at Waimea Bay, Hawaii. The Eddie Aikau contest was named after the legendary big wave surfer (he was ranked 12th in the world in 1977) and first official lifeguard at Waimea Bay. Besides free-falling down 40 foot waves and surfing up to eight hours at a time with no breaks, Aikau was also known to have saved countless lives as a lifeguard. But sadly, after what was to be his final rescue attempt, he lost his his life on March 16, 1978. Aikau had been part of a crew that sailed on Hawaii's traditional double-hull canoe called the Hokule'a. The Hokule'a set sail from Hawaii to Tahiti in March 1978 for a 30 day 2,500 mile trip across the pacific. In strong winds and heavy seas, Hokula'a capsized after developing a leak in one of the hulls. While the crew barely hung on through the night, Aikau decided he would try and go for help by swimming to the island of Lana'i – 19 miles away. Later on that same day, the crew was spotted by a passing plane and were rescued but Aikau was never see again.

The first Eddie Aikau surfing contest was held in the winter of 1985; it was sponsored by Quicksilver (surfwear company) to honor Aikau. The competition has always been unique in the surf world in that it has only be held eight times since its inception – the last time was December 15, 2004. There is one requirement which must always be met in order for the contest to take place: waves must reach a minimum of 20 feet (in wave face height that's over 30 feet). In addition, just 28 big-wave riders are invited to participate in two rounds of competition.

50 Foot wave at Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu in Haleiwa, Hawaii.

This year, on exactly 25 years to the day that Aikau died, waves reached a record 50 feet at Waimea Bay. According to the National Weather Service, the waves were powered by two storms north by northwest of Hawaii.

Not surprisingly, high surf warnings were issued and people were strongly advised not go into the ocean in high-surf areas. Maui surfer Buzzy Kerbox likened the waves to “being thrown into a gorilla cage, and the gorilla does whatever he wants with you until you get out."

Marc Healy wipes out on a 40 foot wave.

When all was said and done, the final results at the Eddie Aikau Invitational were:

• FIRST PLACE: Greg Long $55,000
• SECOND PLACE: Kelly Slatter $10,000
• THIRD PLACE: Sunny Garcia $ 5,000
• FOURTH PLACE: Bruce Irons $ 3,000
• FIFTH PLACE: Ramon Navarro $ 2,000




If you want to check out some live footage go to :

• 
  Raw Video: Big Wave Surfers compete in North Shore Hawaii
• Day before the Eddie Aikau competition, Waimea 12-07-2009
• Jaws 50 feet Surf! December 7 - 2009
• Epic Big Wave Tow-in Surfing at Jaws, Maui December 7 - 2009
• Laird Hamilton at Peahi, Maui December 7th and 8th 2009

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