WAIMEA BAY (HawaiiNewsNow) – Round one of the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational wrapped up at around 1 p.m. In the top 10:
- Nathan Florence (HI)
- Luke Shepardson (HI, 2023 WINNER)
- Nic Lamb (CA)
- Landon McNamara (HI)
- Kai Lenny (HI)
- Mason Ho (HI)
- Ezekiel Lau (HI)
- Chad Keaulana (HI)
- Matt Bromley (SOUTH AFRICA)
- Eala Stewart (HI)
THE EDDIE IS ON: View our complete coverage
Contest director Liam McNamara noted first-time competitors make up half of the list, and several are second-generation big wave surfers, including McNamara’s son, Landon McNamara, Mason Ho, son of professional surfer Michael Ho, and Chad Keaulana, who follows in the footsteps of father, Brian, and grandfather, “Buffalo,” both legendary watermen.
The competition continues with five more heats.
“Anybody can still win,” McNamara said. “This is a dream come true for them. When this big event runs, they put everything aside and this is their focus. This is their goal. This is their dream.”
If Luke Shepardson ends the day on top, he will be the first to ever to win the competition twice.
Previous Coverage:
- North Shore businesses prepare for ‘The Eddie’ crowds
- ‘We are on’: The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational gets green light for Sunday
- Will ‘Eddie’ go? What big-wave contest organizers are looking for
- With ‘The Eddie’ possible, groups and organizers urge safety — and to leave a lot at home
- Yellow alert for ‘The Eddie’ this weekend as north-shore surf rises to dangerous levels
- SPECIAL SECTION: 2023 Eddie Aikau Stories
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