The answer is "Yes."
Of course you have been paying attention and of course you know. Oahu’s North Shore, home to Turtle Bay, Pupukea Grill, Off da Wall and Waimea Bay which is, in turn, home to the Eddie Aikau Invitational brought to you by… I don’t think Quiksilver anymore… has been experiencing a run of climate change induced swell so grand, so large, that 50 people were in need of rescue there just yesterday.
50 whole people and pandemonium. Chaos. Disaster. But also perfect for the Eddie Aikau Invitational brought to you by…. Yeti coolers? I truly can’t remember. In any case, the last time the even ran was in 1911 when Duke Kahanamoku outlasted Bryan Adams for bragging rights and a brand new
Could it have run yesterday?
Should it have?
Let us turn Hawaii’s local KHON news for more.
One of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational surfers and forecasters for the event was out at Waimea Saturday morning.
“Surprisingly a few 20-footers came through and it almost worried me because I’m one of the Eddie forecasters and I was kind of thinking while I was out there like ‘Did we blow it by not calling on the contest? Because this is a legitimate set,” said surfer Chris Owens.
He said Saturday’s surf models weren’t showing the right seas versus period for them to “confidently call on the contest.”
“The contest has really stepped up on the criteria, ever since Greg Long won it in 2009, and we want it to be 20-25 feet which is like between 40 foot and 50 foot waves faces and we always want the Eddie to be a memorable day, a day you look back and go ‘Wow it was huge that day,’” Owens said.
“Waimea is the best arena in the world for a big wave event and the Eddie is the greatest show on earth when it happens,” he said.
So…. what. Have the contest forecasters carved out their very enviable jobs, will “test” every swell, seeing if it’s good enough and deem it unworthy?
True surfers the lot of them.
See you when the Eddie runs next in 3467.
And by “see you” mean from heaven where I will have unobstructed views as long as extra-portly Ashton Goggans is not sitting in front of me.
Commented on Disqus? Log out, tap the Disqus button, and your old name and comments come back. The box is ours.
Your comments are still here. Every one of them.
Twelve years of BeachGrit comments came across from Disqus. Connect and we will show you how many are yours. We get your username, nothing else.
Connect Disqus to reveal.
I think Ash is gonna hit you in the tits with a twinky bar. Nah, he probably ate it.
BIGGER
I was on the north shore all last week and the contest should not have run for sure. Waves were maybe peaking at 20ft, but it would have been pretty underwhelming if they would have run it.
Assuming you are a mere mortal like myself, I’m curious where did you manage to surf without dying? I’m going in March and want to make it back unscathed.
While we are at the topic of surfing. Any insight why we kick of the QS year with two overlapping 5000’s?
Filipe would go.
chas, any chance of removing the thumbnail of goggins attempting to give Yago a rim job. it makes me feel ill every time I see it. I also think its pretty unfair for Yago. thanks in advance. Phat.
Fuck. I shouldn’t drive like this
Ashton stopped the coronaviris from killing us all.
He ate it
Ashton so fat, he gets group insurance!
With any luck, the motorized fins will obsolete by 3467.
3467! 34 fucking 67!!!!!
Goddammit!!!!
Can’t believe you published my bike lock combination!!!
Bastard!
Now I have to go change it to 1289.
Pray tell which laws you were caught breaking to need a bike lock Otto?
You got a better way to chain your wife in the kitchen?
You should see the way I cook. I make such a burnt mess, nobody wants me to cook for another year
Cooking just isn’t one of those things in life where effort versus results is commendable.
Chas, I’m being serious now, what is the shark risk in quadruple + OH surf?
Surely the beasts fear massive Jaws? Oh Wait, Waimea? Who really cares as long as the Women’s World Championship Big Wave Challenge Heat hosts the best conditions and equal pay.
Come on down Ben. Where are you?… You can’t be done yet?… The people want to read more of your pathetic diatribe. Every time you comment you make us all feel better about ourselves. Free therapy!!!