Early this morning I headed up to the north shore to watch a pipeline surfing competition. On the way I decided to stop at Waimea Bay to see the Eddie Aikau memorial. Eddie was one of the two first lifeguards on the north shore…and Waimea Bay was his post. Waimea was (and still is) one of the most dangerous beaches on the island…generating some of the biggest surf, most vicious currents, and one hell of a shore-break that tends to suck out ignorant people. Many people have spent their last breath on this beach.
Eddie was the only surfer who had the knowledge, experience, and fearlessness to take on the lifeguard job…and in his years saved hundreds thousands of people’s lives. In fact he himself died in effort of trying to save the crew of a capsized boat on the way from Oahu to Tahiti. He was also a legendary big wave surfer of Waimea Bay. His story is fascinating and makes you fully respect the history of Waimea.
Here are some more pictures I took this morning:
Hey Corey,
This is your cousin Jackie (Doug). I use to live on Oahu in the early 80’s. Love the North Shore. Enjoy seeing the pics.