Holy crap, The Eddie is go! Insane surfing going on NOW!

http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2015/spec/1182/quiksilver-in-memory-of-eddie-aikau

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiksilver_Big_Wave_Invitational

This is the most elite surfing event in the world. It only happens if the waves hit a certain height. You must be invited to compete. Insane stuff to watch.

Oh, and you have to paddle in, you can't get towed in by a ski. You can get pulled out to the breaks by a ski, but you have to use your own power to get up on the wave. Ball folks, big coconut sized balls.

Cool. Just watched some of it. And yes, you don't get the true sense of power of waves until you are out there in them.

I keep doing this while watching:

Wow, Clyde Aikau (Eddie Aikau's brother) is surfing. He's 66 years old!

Why does Kelly win everything?

In reply to Enyar:

No, seriously, yearly human sacrifices to Poseidon.

Enyar wrote: Why does Kelly win everything?

He's not winning right now, just 4th place.

Watching the guys on the skis is crazy as well. You can't dip under the wave, and if you missed your chance to go over there's only one choice left: pin the throttle and point it to the shore.

(edit) All the skis just made a rush for the shore after a monster wave break. The video feed switched to a view from the driver and you heard them going "rrraAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!"

And Clyde Aikau already dropped in on three waves. 66 years old. Like. A. Boss.

I have a friend who just inherited a house that's walking distance to that beach. She's there now and was hoping to see the competition. She sent us pics of 30' waves earlier in the week.

holy moly, you aren't kidding about the skis. those dudes are NUTS! thanks for sharing this.

slefain wrote:

Enyar wrote: Why does Kelly win everything?

He's not winning right now, just 4th place. Watching the guys on the skis is crazy as well. You can't dip under the wave, and if you missed your chance to go over there's only one choice left: pin the throttle and point it to the shore. (edit) All the skis just made a rush for the shore after a monster wave break. The video feed switched to a view from the driver and you heard them going "rrraAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!" And Clyde Aikau already dropped in on three waves. 66 years old. Like. A. Boss.

That ski drag race was nuts. Ive been glued to this since the post went up.

Enyar wrote: Why does Kelly win everything?

Because he learned to surf in Florida.....that's why!

He actually grew up about an hour South of the GRM offices in Cocoa. I know a bunch of guys that used to compete, and surf with him. To a man, they all say good things about Kelly.

The theory is, he became so good by making the most of the waves here in FL. Our waves are generally smaller (unless there is a storm offshore) --- so you have to work to make the most of them.

Pretty impressive guy to be still as competitive as he is....in his 40s.

In reply to Joe Gearin:

As im learning, surfing is one of those sports that you're always going to be good. Look at Clyde. Straight beast.

I just love the spirit of the event. They give a window of when it can happen. One guy makes the call. Participants are picked ahead of time and are basically on call for the time of the event window. You have 12 hours to get your butt to the event once the call is made. You know where it will be, but you have no idea when. Only when the conditions are right can the event go on.

I'm still watching, pretty neat seeing all the old idols from my younger days. Also Jon Jon is no longer 3 feet tall.