To this day Eddie Aikau is spoken of with profound love and respect and remains one of surfing’s most revered figures. The surfing community prayed for Eddie’s safe return, but sadly it never eventuated. When they reached Hawaii the Aikaus wanted Lynn and Daryl to stay in Eddie’s home while they all waited for news on Hawaii’s favourite son. Meanwhile, Lyn, who was in Australia, was on the first flight from Sydney to Hawaii to support the family when she heard the news from Eddie’s sister. After being made aware of Eddie’s situation, he immediately flew to Hawaii. Tragically he was never seen again.Īt the time Darryl was back in Africa shaping boards for Shaun Tomson. While everyone was floundering in the ocean on the upturned vessel, Eddie convinced the skipper to allow him to paddle for help. It’s well documented that the Hokule’a catamaran, which Eddie was a passenger on for the re-enactment voyage, capsized the first night in heavy seas. The words, which have helped immortalise Eddie Aikau. The trip cemented a connection with the Holmes and Aikau families that would last a lifetime.
Aikau only had a two-week visa, so with no time to waste the next morning, Darryl and Lyn, together with their two young daughters (Tracey and Jodi), invited him on an epic and memorable road trip to Jefferies Bay. Eddie and the Holmes family quickly formed a close bond and she threw him a big party after he and Daryl were knocked out of the contest. Lynn paid Eddie a visit at his hotel and invited him to stay with her family for the remainder of his time in Africa. Aikau was virtually friendless and was so confused as to where he could go and what he was allowed to do under the barbaric apartheid laws.įortunately, Eddie’s Durban blues were short-lived because of Lynn Holmes, who was yet to meet him but had heard of his predicament. After he’d surf in his heat he would just disappear back to his hotel. However, Eddie was isolated, a long way from home, and felt his teammates had in some way deserted him. It’s important to keep his legacy alive and inspire the next generation to live like Eddie did.So Ernie Tomson, the organiser of the contest, arranged Eddie Aikau a hotel that would take him in. Eddie would brave the waves that often reached 30 feet or more, when no one else would go out. Eddie was not just the 1st lifeguard at Waimea Bay he was the 1st lifeguard for the entire North Shore, and saved over 500 people throughout his career. Eddie Aikau was a championship athlete, a waterman, and a family man who truly cared for others. The legend of Eddie Aikau is an important part of Hawaiian Culture. The Eddie Big Wave Invitational celebrates the current lineage of big wave surfers, as well as the ones that came before. The Eddie is the premier Event in the sport of Surfing – The Super Bowl of Surfing. Hawaiian surfer and the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay, he saved over 500 people and became famous for surfing the big Hawaiian surf, winning several awards including the 1977 Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship. Eddie Would Go 11" Sticker - Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational 2019/2020
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