Eddie Aikau Opening Ceremony

Went to the Opening Ceremony for  THE EDDIE....

for those that dont know what it is, here is some info.......

December 3rd, 2010 : - - Waimea Bay -- The world's most celebrated big wave riders gathered under heavy skies at Waimea Bay today for the traditional opening ceremony of the 26th annual Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, fueled by Monster Energy. December of every year, during the Hawaiian winter, is when attention turns to the prestigious Invitee list of 28 surfers who are asked to ride mammoth waves at Waimea like Aikau did in his time.

But this year it is the fresh loss of former invitees Andy Irons and Marvin Foster, both from Hawaii, that has the surfing world reflecting upon the importance of gatherings like these and the role they play in honoring the past, respecting the present and looking forward to the future. "It is the passing of these brothers that once again reminds us of the life and loss of Eddie," said Hawaiian Kahu Billy Mitchell, flanked by the Aikau family.

"But as we stand in this circle, we realize that this circle, like life, is a continuum of those who have gone on already, those who are here, and those young brave surfers yet to come."

Among those gathered today were defending event champion Greg Long (San Clemente, CA),and former Eddie winners Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL), Bruce Irons (Hawaii), Ross Clarke-Jones (Australia), Clyde Aikau, Noah Johnson, and Keone Downing (Hawaii). 

All the surfers before the paddle out

Kelly Slater & surfers...right before the ceremony started

Kelly Slater.....(in case u dont know about surfing, he is the 10 time world champion!)




 

Yes, I know...its him again...LOL....I remember watching him surf back in 1997 when Brooke was just born. We would drive up to the North Shore just to watch him surf! Who knew?

 


 
 


There was a blessing before the paddle out.....

 
 

 





Bruce Irons & Makuakai Rothman.......I think Bruce's face shows the feelings he was probably having since he just lost his brother Andy Irons a few weeks ago.
I could feel his sadness. :(

Loved this photo of Sunny Garcia & his board.....I plan to paint this one!



So, I FINALLY met him in person after many years of watching.
 However, the real reason for this meeting was because of the following story..............
1 year ago I won a photography contest (from our local TV station) winning Clark Little's signed "Photography Book" which if anyone knows is an amazing photo book of wave images. (He is actually photographing the waves from the water.)
Anyway, Jack Johnson (the singer) and Kelly Slater (surfer) both wrote "forewards" in the book. I am a huge fan of both of these guys so after I won the Clark Little autographed book....it was my mission to FIND Jack and Kelly and get their autographs!! Well, i was lucky and met Jack at an Auction on the North Shore, (had my book with me cuz I knew he would be there) and got lucky that he was so kind and generous to meet me and sign it! Well...then it took many months of waiting to try to get Kelly's signature. I brought my book to this ceremony knowing he was going to be there but thinking I probably had NO CHANCE of getting him to sign it!
After all the paddle out....the surfers started coming back into shore and I waited for Kelly and asked if he would sign my book.  He signed it, and now it is complete! :)
So, thats the story!