Big-wave contest The Eddie to run without Quiksilver sponsor

The Aikau family is continuing the time-honored tradition with an opening ceremony on Nov. 30.

After a tumultuous few years, the Aikau family and Quiksilver have parted ways. Quiksilver has been the main sponsor of the The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau for 32 years. Running only in specific conditions, when Waimea Bay is holding wave faces of over 30 feet, the event has only run nine times in its history. Although negotiations were shaky last year, the Aikau family and Quiksilver were still able to come together to put on the event, but that is not the case this year.

Now referred to as “The Eddie,” the Aikau family promises to continue honoring lifeguard and big-wave surfer, Eddie Aikau. “Yes, we’re going to continue that because that’s been the tradition,” Sol Aikau, Eddie Aikau’s father, said. “All I’m going to say is be ready to come down to the bay when you hear it.”

Although the start of the holding period for the event remains unknown, and the list of participating surfers has yet to released, the Aikau family is set to hold the opening ceremony on November 30 at Waimea Bay.

Without the backing of a big-name sponsor, big checks and grandiose trophies may fall to the wayside, however Clyde Aikau, brother to Eddie Aikau, offered this statement: “Even if we have to have coconuts for trophies and you come down with a can of sardines, Uncle Clyde will feed you rice and we’ll have the event.”

For now, it seems like The Eddie will run its holding period for the surf contest per normal, but we’ll keep you updated on what happens.