Rip Curl to Sponsor The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational
Photo: Rip Curl
The Eddie has a new sponsor. After 30 years of backing the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, Quiksilver stopped sponsoring the event in 2017. The event has been backed by various brands and companies since then, but it has not received major support from an endemic surf company since the Mountain and the Wave.
On Monday, Rip Curl announced it will be the new title sponsor for the prestigious (semi) annual event at Waimea Bay. In release with the Eddie Aikau Foundation, the Australian-based company recognized the rich history of the event, the Aikau family.
“We are very proud to partner with a brand like Rip Curl,” Clyde Aikau said in a news release. “Everyone knows the brand and I know my brother, Eddie, would also be proud.”
View the original article to see embedded media.
Due to the stringent requirements for height and pristine conditions, the event has only been run ten times in 40 years. This season’s event window will run from Dec. 14, 2024, to March 14, 2025. The last contest was won by Luke Shepardson on Jan. 22, 2023. After surfing two heats while working his shift, the North Shore lifeguard took home $10,000 and 350,000 Hawaiian Airlines miles for winning the event in truly behemoth waves. Many thought Shepardson deserved more for his efforts, and fans set up a Venmo fundraiser for the lifeguard who won on duty.
Related: Watch: Catching up with 2023 'Eddie' Winner Luke Shepardson
While it's commendable for the Aikau family and the surfers to put on the event without prizemoney being first and foremost, it's nice to know they can be compensated for risking life and limb at Waimea. No word yet on what the prize purse will be, but it’s possible the winner's check could be closer to the $75,000 John John Florence pocketed after the 2016 contest.
Photo: Eddie Aikau Foundation
Despite the infrequency of the event, Rip Curl clearly recognized the value The Eddie brings to the surf world. An estimated 50,000 people lined all corners of Waimea Bay, and the YouTube livestream recorded 1.7 million views. Not to mention the countless stories etched in surfing's lore.
“It is an incredible honour for Rip Curl to be a partner of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational,” said Brooke Farris, CEO of Rip Curl. “This event is legendary, as are the big wave surfers who take on the giant waves of Waimea Bay. With our 55-year history of championing surfing events around the world, it is with great respect that we place our name alongside Eddie Aikau, celebrating an incredible legacy and supporting an event that means so much to the surfing community.”
***
Don't miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Instagram, and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels.
Whether you're a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos.
