Since its inception in 1984, the tournament has only been held nine times, due to a precondition that open-ocean swells reach a minimum height of 20 feet (6.1 m) before the competition can be held. The competition is held at Waimea Bay – a legendary and challenging big-wave spot with a lot of history. The 1964 film Ride the Wild Surf and the Jan and Dean song "Ride the Wild Surf", which played at the end of the film and became a Top 20 National hit, made Waimea Bay famous. It was here where the voyaging canoe, Hokulea, launched in 1976, on its historic sail to French Polynesia that helped boost interest in ancient culture and start the Hawaiian Renaissance. beautiful and the cliff jumping is decently safe and SO fun! The 34th annual Eddie Big Wave Invitational is aiming to bring focus onto Hawaiian Culture, with a goal to share the stories and legacy of Hawaii with the world. The big is big and is on the 7 miles miracle, north shore in general is very nice in the winter with big waves and you can watch surfers. Captain Charles Clerke aboard HMS Resolution stopped at Waimea Bay on February 28, 1779. Waimea Bay is located in Haleiwa on the North Shore of O'ahu in the Hawaiian Islands at the mouth of the Waimea River. Waimea Bay Cam is brought to you by explore.org, the world’s largest live nature cam network. The Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau was canceled due to above average behemoth surf.[4]. It is more like a pleasurable one mile stroll through lush botanical gardens that lead up to the grand waterfall.. Feast your eyes upon Kauai’s famed Fern Grotto, and hideaway for at least a full day in Hanalei or Princeville, two of our favorite towns—both top among Hawaii tourist attractions. If you are a 13-year-old grom, that might mean your dad’s 7'6" Pipe board, while adults should be looking for boards between 9'0' and 10'6". Big wave surfing is a discipline within surfing in which experienced surfers paddle into, or are towed into, waves which are at least 20 feet (6.2 m) high, on surf boards known as "guns" or towboards. The surf break at Waimea Bay was significant in the development of Big wave surfing. The most recent tournament was in February 2016. It exists in the here and now but also occupies the realm of legend. Directions to the Pololu Valley Lookout. Big wave season in Hawaii happens roughly between November and February on Hawaii’s north shores. Open-ocean swells of this height generally translate to wave faces in the bay of 30 feet (9.1 m) to 40 feet (12 m). Sizes of the board needed to successfully surf these waves vary by the size of the wave as well as the technique the surfer uses to reach the wave. The Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau takes place in Waimea Bay to honor the legendary surfer and the first lifeguard of the North Shore of Oahu. Waimea means "reddish water" in Hawaiian.[1]. Waimea Falls Park Share via: Waimea Falls Park is ranked among some of the best Oahu hikes. In summer, Waimea typically has clear and calm water. A giant rock straddles the shore with its back end on the sand and front end protruding into the ocean. Compared to other big waves that are being surfed these days, like say Jaws or Teahupoo or Nazare, Waimea might look slightly tame, but its legend remains. Waimea Bay was a filming location for the television series Lost, an American drama-adventure television series about survivors of a plane crash on a mysterious tropical island. Once you have decided that you want to focus on big waves—and obtained the proper training and floatation—it’s time to invest in a big wave gun. While the surf only breaks big several times a year, Waimea was the most prestigious big wave surf break in … Memory of Eddie Aikau an icon a giant rock straddles the Shore with its back end on north. 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