Big Waves Expected to Peak on Thursday. Watch and Wait!!! Watch & Wait Continues For Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, Fueled by Monster Energy. Big Wave Episode Expected to Peak on Oahu's North Shore this Thursday Waimea Bay, Oahu, HAWAII - (January 17, 2011) -- An extra large swell is forecast to batter Oahu's North Shore this week, but uncertainty still surrounds the actual height of the waves that will materialize and whether this latest episode will give the green light to the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, Fueled by Monster Energy. There is no question that the north Pacific system generating the anticipated swell has the potential to deliver waves of "Eddie" size, but it now comes down to the directional focus of the swell. Organizers of the event will continuously monitor developments of this swell that is expected to peak on Oahu's North Shore on Thursday, January 20. The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is a one-day big wave invitational staged at Waimea Bay with a minimum wave height requirement of 20 feet. It was last held on December 8, 2009, in 20- to 25-foot surf and was won by California's Greg Long. The event is held in memory of one of the greatest Hawaiian watermen of all time, Eddie Aikau, who was a pioneer big wave rider and highly respected lifeguard at Waimea Bay. In its 26 year history, the event has only been held a total of eight times. "The system generating the surf is definitely gigantic and certainly as strong as predicted, covering roughly 18,000 square miles of the north Pacific," explains George Downing, Contest Director of The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau. "But up to now, the strongest winds generating the open ocean swells have not been aimed at Hawaii. This can change as the system passes the dateline, so we will have to be patient." A further 24 hours of watch-and-wait will provide a better indication of the true potential of the swell and what it will produce for Waimea Bay. There are still three full days of developments yet to unfold and ultimately "The Bay calls the day". The National Weather Service expects that beyond this week the favorable jet stream flow will continue to lend itself to more extra-large to giant surf through the end of the month/into early February. The holding period for the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau runs up to and including February 28. The most recent storm activity in the Pacific produced quality surf of up to 18 feet along Oahu's North Shore yesterday, allowing many of the Invitees and Alternates to "The Eddie" to test their equipment and ready themselves for what lies ahead.
Yeah, and if they hold the event, I am putting my money on Bruce Irons... He will be going for broke this year for sure. He is really good there anyway. It would be nice to see him pull that off. A little Eddie/Andy tribute.
absolutely nothing at all. i hope i can still surf in my 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's...you're in your 60's?
18-20+ not enough to run it?? I was hoping for some good entertainment tonight when I got back from work
ill post some pics up from Jaws, theres 3 helis filming, 6 boats, 5 jetskis and 30'+ waves, pretty mental
ian walsh is probably out there. oh and they only run the eddie if its 20+. they aid it was too inconsistent today.
It looks like Surfline is letting non-premium members view the Waimea HD cam. It won't load on my comp. though
some dude on a bodyboard just towed into a big one. My droid can not send any of these large files out here for some reason, keeps giving me all different errors? if i have to ill connect to my laptop
Boo. I saw that swell earlier this week as it was passing through the FSM... 12ft. (3 to 4 x overhead) easily the largest waves I have ever seen in person and sucking every bit of water of the reefs. Heavy. I can't imagine adding 1000 or so miles of fetch to it and have it breaking on reefs that can actually handle the size...all that and no Eddie...boo
how's the swell showing in other spots? is everything maxed or can you find some surf for normal humans
