Will the Eddie go?
Jan. 19th, 2011 09:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kateelliottThe prestige surfing competition isn't run every year. It is run at the whim of nature. As of this evening, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Surfing Competition may run, if the swells are big enough (over 20 foot wave faces) and "right."
Here's a Honolulu Star Advertiser article about the possibility. People are certainly camping out overnight at or near Waimea Bay just in case it goes tomorrow.
The swell is predicted to peak early tomorrow so surfers will be on the beach and ready to go immediately if the contest begins.
"Let's not forget, we are not dealing with a concrete stadium sporting event," said Downing. "Surfers and great surfing events are 100 percent dependent upon many nuances of nature that not even the latest, greatest technology can perfectly predict. What we are saying is that the potential for 20-foot surf does exist. We might go, we might not, but we will always be ready for when the bay calls the day.
"That's what this event, in particular, is about. We will do exactly what Eddie and big-wave riders have always done through the years — watch the swell developments, be ready, and wake up to see what the day delivers."
No, I'm not going to the North Shore to watch in person if it runs. The traffic will be horrendous. But check it out, if you're interested.
Here's the event's pretty comprehensive web page, where you can likely watch it streaming if it goes, and where you can anyway see video from 2009 when 20,000 people packed the beach and road to watch.
Here's a Honolulu Star Advertiser article about the possibility. People are certainly camping out overnight at or near Waimea Bay just in case it goes tomorrow.
The swell is predicted to peak early tomorrow so surfers will be on the beach and ready to go immediately if the contest begins.
"Let's not forget, we are not dealing with a concrete stadium sporting event," said Downing. "Surfers and great surfing events are 100 percent dependent upon many nuances of nature that not even the latest, greatest technology can perfectly predict. What we are saying is that the potential for 20-foot surf does exist. We might go, we might not, but we will always be ready for when the bay calls the day.
"That's what this event, in particular, is about. We will do exactly what Eddie and big-wave riders have always done through the years — watch the swell developments, be ready, and wake up to see what the day delivers."
No, I'm not going to the North Shore to watch in person if it runs. The traffic will be horrendous. But check it out, if you're interested.
Here's the event's pretty comprehensive web page, where you can likely watch it streaming if it goes, and where you can anyway see video from 2009 when 20,000 people packed the beach and road to watch.