The emotions and energy were on overload with what surfers were calling “Brock’s Swell,” in honor of long-time Eddie invitee and Hawaii Big Wave rider Brock Little, who lost his battle with cancer just last week. Today’s conditions were the most epic ever for an “Eddie” and will surely go down as the greatest one-day Big Wave event in history. ![]() They roared and gasped as the 28-man field offered up fearless rides and more than a few horrific wipeouts from sun up to sun down. Third place today was Shane Dorian (HAW) fourth went to Jamie Mitchell (AUS) fifth was Kelly Slater (USA) and sixth was Makuakai Rothman (HAW).Ī capacity crowd of 25,000 lined the headland-to-headland arena of Waimea Bay, witnessing eight hours of uninterrupted, mind-blowing entertainment. The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau 2015/16 will be a memorable year, going in down in the books as some of the biggest waves ever ridden in the event’s 31-year history. The energy on the beach has been electric, with cheers erupting across the coast from every ride and standing room only for as far as the eye can see. Better known for his year-round pursuits on the WSL Championship Tour, Florence is fast forging himself a place at the head of the big wave riding movement that is regarded a discipline all its own. “Yes.”įlorence, 23, edged out previous event winner Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS) with a late charge in his second round heat, posting his top two rides of the day during a flurry of gigantic waves. “Is Uncle Clyde ready to ride?” the surfer mentioned in an earlier interview. The Hawaiian announced at the opening ceremony in December 2015 this will be his last time competing in the event commemorating his brother. And thanks to my mom and my family and all my good friends who are here.”įormer event winner and younger brother to Eddie Aikau, Clyde Aikau (HAW) found a few good rides in Heat 3. These guys are my heroes since I’ve been growing up. I’ve only seen it run a couple of times in my life so to be a part of it, to be surfing in it, and to actually win it is such a dream come true…against all these legends. “Biggest of all, I want to say thanks to the Aikau family and Quiksilver for putting on this amazing event. It’s definitely the highlight of my life for sure. I’ve never been a part of an event like this. Walking down the beach, like Uncle Clyde was saying, people just screaming, and the energy was so crazy. ![]() I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve never seen it like that. “I was riding my bike down here this-morning in the dark and just the energy of how many people were parked all the way down the street. “I was so nervous, I thought, oh gosh, I just gotta get through this day and hopefully get a couple of waves! ![]() “I was excited just to be part of the event,” said Florence. Florence won $75,000 – the biggest purse in Big Wave riding, with a 4-wave total of 301 out of 400 points. ![]() WAIMEA BAY, Oahu/Hawaii (Thursday, February 25, 2016) – John John Florence (HAW) brought a new style and a new generation to big wave surfing today by winning the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, a World Surf League Specialty Event, in waves of up to 60-feet. After 31 Years, The 2016 “Eddie” Goes Down as the Biggest in History.
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