Big, Big, Waves

Surfers from around the world converged on Oahu’s north shore for an elite invitation-only event to the top competitors in the sport. As reported in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, the event has been held only seven times in the past 20 years, the event features a purse over $50,000, and only takes place when waves are generally over 30 feet. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational honors the life of former Waimea Bay lifeguard and surfer Eddie Aikau, who was never found after he paddled off for help when the Hokulea capsized in rough seas in 1978. Someday, I’d like to get back to Hawaii during the winter to see these waves and to watch the whales come through in their seasonal migration, but I did get to photograph the windsurfers on Maui’s north shore during our honeymoon in 2003.