The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational opening ceremony set for December 5th
The cultural event honour’s the legacy of Eddie Aikau and recognises the big wave riders who have been selected as competitors in the prestigious surf contest.
The Eddie Aikau Foundation will host its annual Opening Ceremony for the Rip Curl Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay Beach Park beginning at 11:00 am on December 5, 2025.
THE EDDIE® Opening Ceremony, a traditional Hawaiian blessing of the big wave surfing competition and its participants, marks the start of the three-month waiting period for a swell that is large enough to hold the legendary contest in a single day. The ceremony is an annual gathering of past EDDIE champions, current Invitees and Alternates, the Aikau family, Eddie Aikau Foundation Board of Directors and volunteers, event officials, sponsors, and community members.
Eddie Aikau’s brother, Clyde Aikau, who won THE EDDIE in 1986, has historically led the Opening Ceremony and surfer paddle out. Sadly, Clyde passed away in May of this year, soon after watching his son Ha’a Aikau surf in his first EDDIE in December 2024. The Opening Ceremony will continue its traditional recognition and blessing of the competitors, along with hula and the presentation of the trophies. The Royal Order of Kamehameha I will be in attendance, and assisting Kahu Laiana Wong with the blessing on land, before the surfers head into the water for the ocean blessing.
The Opening Ceremony celebrates the mystique that weaves throughout big wave surfing, the ocean, Hawaiian culture and the life and legacy of Eddie Aikau. The ceremony is conducted in the shadow of the cliffs of Waimea Valley, a traditional place of refuge, where the Aikau family’s ancestor, Hewahewa, King Kamehameha’s chief spiritual advisor and Hawai’i’s last high priest, once lived.
The Opening Ceremony’s combination of cultural traditions, camaraderie and connectivity serves as a powerful reminder of the Eddie Aikau Foundation’s motto “There Is Good to Be Done.”
“Almost all of the 60 surfers who were invited to compete in THE EDDIE are confirmed to attend the Opening Ceremony,” said Eddie Aikau Foundation President Linda Ipsen. “The Board of Directors is very grateful for the support shown by these world class athletes who come from around the world to participate in this celebration that honors the legacy of Eddie Aikau. This year, we will honor Clyde Aikau for his contributions to the world of surfing, and for the years he dedicated to ensuring the memory of his brother, Eddie, will live on.”
The Eddie Aikau Foundation continues its partnership with Rip Curl as the title sponsor to bring the iconic event to life.
“We are proud to partner with THE EDDIE for a second year and feel so blessed that the event ran in the first year of our partnership,” said James Taylor, Rip Curl’s General Manager of Marketing. “We see Rip Curl’s role as an opportunity to continue to carry Eddie’s legacy to a global audience and honour the rich history behind the event. At this year’s Opening Ceremony, we also pay tribute to the life’s work of Eddie’s late brother, Clyde. To see Clyde so involved in every step of last year’s event was truly inspiring.”
Opening Ceremony Schedule of Events
11:00 am Program Begins with Pule by Uncle Desmond Haumea
11:30 am Pūnana Leo o Waialua Keiki and Kumu Ka’ulamealani Diamond and Halau
12:30 pm Competitor Introductions
1:45 pm Royal Order of Kamehameha I and Blessing by Kahu Laiana Wong
2:30 pm Surfer Paddle Out & Ocean Blessing
After the Opening Ceremony, all eyes turn towards the horizon as December 7th marks the start of the three-month waiting period. THE EDDIE happens when wave heights reach 40-foot faces and weather conditions allow for the competition to “Go” in a single day. It has only been held 11 times in its 41-year history. Landon McNamara won the last EDDIE on December 22, 2024.
The Eddie Aikau Foundation would like to recognise and thank THE EDDIE title sponsor Rip Curl, as well as Hawaiian Airlines, OluKai, Costa Sunglasses, Polynesian Adventure Tours, Kona Brewing Hawaii, Patagonia, Waimea Valley-Hi’ipaka LLC, Pacific Power Electrical Contracting, Hawaiian Native Corp, YETI, Art by Eddy Y, Pictures Plus, Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages, Sun Bum, JACO Rehab Hawaii, RipClip, ‘oe Hawaii, Peter David Photography and Strafford Media for their support. We also would like to welcome our newest partners, Kaiser Permanente and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Our sincere appreciation and mahalo to our production partners Salt+Air Studios and Nexstar Media Inc. dba KHON2.
