Hawaiian surfer dominates historic Waimea Bay event with flawless performance, securing $50,000 prize
In an exhilarating display of skill and resilience, Landon McNamara triumphed at the 11th edition of the Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, cementing his place in surfing history. Competing in the iconic waves of Waimea Bay, McNamara edged out fellow Hawaiian Mason Ho in a thrilling contest that saw the best of big-wave surfing unfold throughout the day.
The Eddie Aikau Invitational, held just 11 times in 40 years, is a marquee event that showcases the power and beauty of Waimea’s massive surf. This year’s competition was no exception, with the day’s action marked by a series of awe-inspiring waves, dramatic airdrops, and intense backwash. But when the final scores were tallied, it was McNamara who claimed the title, narrowly defeating Ho with a final score of 135.8 to 120.9.
McNamara, the nephew of big-wave legend Garrett McNamara, delivered a career-defining moment in the event’s second-to-last heat. With a powerful long-period swell filling the bay, McNamara caught a colossal wave to start his run but had to straighten out at the end as the wave closed out. In contrast, Mason Ho responded with a wave that appeared to be more than 30 feet tall, which he rode through to the channel. But a backwash surge sent Ho tumbling, halting his momentum.
It was McNamara’s final wave that secured him the victory. As the swell rose, he took off on a massive wedging peak. With the wave barreling down behind him, McNamara executed an inverted takeoff, barely avoiding the lip and sticking the landing with remarkable precision. The ride earned him a perfect 50 points, a score that propelled him into the lead and ultimately sealed his win.
“It was a bomb, I was pretty late,” McNamara reflected. “I gave it two paddles and then thought I was about to eat crap, but somehow I made it. It felt like the gnarliest drop I’ve had out here in years.”
McNamara, who is also a talented musician with over 500,000 monthly Spotify listeners, became the first goofy-footed surfer to win the Eddie. “To win this event back-to-back with my best friend Luke [Shepardson], I don’t know what to feel right now,” McNamara said, visibly emotional. “I’m just soaking up the moment. Grateful to be here, grateful to the Aikau ‘ohana, and especially to Eddie, who I truly believe picked me.”
The victory was a fitting culmination to a historic day of big-wave surfing, not just for McNamara, but for all 35 male and 10 female surfers who participated. The competition attracted thousands of spectators to Waimea Bay’s natural amphitheater, while tens of thousands more tuned into the livestream. While scoring updates were periodically shared throughout the day, the final results were kept under wraps until the closing ceremony, adding to the drama and anticipation.
Surfer Highlights and Dramatic Moments
The day’s action began slowly, with the long-period swell filling in as predicted. In the opening heat, Eli Olson faced an unfortunate setback when his jersey was ripped off in the strong conditions. Luke Shepardson, who won the Eddie in 2023, was another standout, delivering a near-perfect performance. The lifeguard-turned-surfer caught one of the day’s best waves, executing a flawless chip-in on a massive wave.
“The drop was insane,” Shepardson said. “It’s definitely one of the craziest waves I’ve ever ridden out here.”
As the swell grew, so did the intensity of the competition. By mid-day, the leaderboard saw impressive performances from some of the world’s best big-wave riders. Billy Kemper, Jamie O’Brien, and Nathan Florence each held the top spot at various points, showing their ability to conquer Waimea’s monstrous waves.
One of the standout moments came in Heat 8 when a massive wave closed out the entire bay, catching competitors off guard. Among those affected were Peter Mel, Aaron Gold, Bianca Valenti, and Ross Clarke-Jones, all of whom faced the formidable power of Waimea’s surf.
In an unexpected turn of events, Waimea Bay legend Mark Healey was forced to bow out early due to a ruptured eardrum after a harrowing freefall down a quadruple-overhead double-up. His replacement, South African Grant “Twiggy” Baker, made an immediate impact, winning the heat with two impressive rides. One of his waves, which featured a late takeoff over a boil, scored a solid 42.8 out of 50.
Among other standouts, Olympic gold medalist Kauli Vaast demonstrated his strength in the face of adversity. After snapping his gun on a previous wave, Vaast worked through a challenging wave, ultimately tackling a massive shorebreak mutant filled with backwash. His performance earned him respect from both fans and competitors.
In the younger contingent, 20-year-old Hawaiian surfer Jake Maki caught the attention of many. Maki’s technical backside ability and fearless commitment to big-wave surfing were on full display as he pushed the limits throughout the day, taking on some of Waimea’s heaviest waves.
A Day to Remember
For McNamara, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational victory not only brought him $50,000 in prize money but also solidified his place in surfing’s rich history. “I’m just so grateful for this moment,” he said. “Grateful to everyone who has supported me, and especially to Eddie Aikau.”
The Eddie Aikau Invitational once again lived up to its legacy, honoring both the surfing tradition and the incredible power of Waimea Bay. It was a day of historic performances, breathtaking waves, and, above all, the spirit of aloha that continues to thrive on Hawaii’s North Shore.
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