50-foot swells mean rare surfing meet is a go in Hawaii

Aikau was a legendary big-wave surfer and the first official lifeguard on Oahu’s North Shore. Those conditions have only been met – and The Memorial has only been held – eight times in the last 32 years.

The fast approaching Pacific storm which causes waves to rise as high as 35-50 feet has hopes high that this years competition will be epic.

Navarro is a “very unassuming, a very humble character”, Wilmott said. “That is just the spirit Ramon has tapped into”.

“This is my dream”, Navarro said after drying off from his hour-long session. John John Florence has etched his name in the history books, with a last minute victory on a day unlike many have ever seen in their lifetime. “I was just stoked to be a part of this event, growing up on the North Shore, watching the Eddies run – and there’s only been a few of them since I’ve been alive – how big the waves were today”. John John edged out big-wave superhero Shane Dorian and former event champion Ross Clarke-Jones, becoming the second youngest victor of the most prestigious event in professional surfing.

The Eddie had been scheduled to take place February 10, but was called off that morning when an anticipated swell did not arrive.

The competition began in 1984, six years after Eddie Aikau died.

Edward Ryon Makuahanai – or simply Eddie – Aikau was a Hawaiian surfer and lifeguard.

Ultimately, however, Aikau gave his life to the ocean in a final attempt to save others. In 1978, Aikau was lost at sea while paddling to get help for crew members of a capsized vessel.

Clyde Aikau took some very deep breaths before heading down to the water, his extra-long, single-fin surf board in tow.

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