HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Tens of thousands of people will join some of the world’s best big wave surfers for the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational on Oahu’s North Shore on Sunday.

This is the 11th time The Eddie has run in the last 40 years and attendance is by invitation only.

According to competition director Liam McNamara, there are waves on the North Shore that are 50 feet face high.

“The conditions are amazing. “There is a strong offshore breeze right now,” McNamara said. “We are expecting a fantastic day of competition. This is a historic day. We want to make sure we start it with a bang and end it with a bang.”

THE EDDIE IS ON: Check out our full coverage

The participants paddled out for the first run at 9 a.m

Among them was Oahu lifeguard Luke Shepardson. “It looks like we’re in for a bomb and it’s going to be a good day,” he said.

Shepardson won the competition on January 22, 2023 and entered the history books. But he doesn’t feel the pressure of a repeat performance.

“Just here to have fun and celebrate the legacy of Eddie Aikau and what he perpetuates and keep the culture alive and have a nice, fun day of surfing and stay safe,” he said.

As for the fame that came with last year’s win, Shepardson said with a laugh: “I’m still doing the same thing, still working as a lifeguard and taking care of the family, but there are a lot more cameras on me now, “So.” I’m slowly getting used to it.”

Originally listed as an alternate, North Shore surfer and fellow lifeguard Joey Cadiz received word early Sunday that he would compete.

“I’m super excited. It’s indescribable right now,” he said. “I think this is my journey home and I’m just really honored to have the chance to be a part of it and I’m excited to see where this all goes.”

Eddie Aikau was a legendary waterman who served as the first lifeguard on the North Coast, including Waimea Bay, saving over 500 people during his career.

It is particularly meaningful for Cadiz to take part in the competition that bears his name.

“As lifeguards, we all take a part of Eddie’s story with us every day when we go to work,” he said.

Crowds gathered overnight and parking lots filled before dawn. If you want to watch the waves in person, don’t drive! Officials recommend using public transportation instead.

Viewers can also stream the competition on rogue.tv or ripcurl.com.

First responders, including police, fire, marine safety, medical services and emergency management personnel, will be stationed or on alert to ensure public safety during this popular large-scale surfing event.

Unless you are an experienced seagoer, stay away from the ocean and shorelines along the north and west coasts during this high surf period.

Honolulu Ocean Safety and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are increasing their resources to ensure public safety during this time of extremely high surf. Ocean Safety will deploy three lifeboats (jet skis), including an additional jet ski rescue unit specifically patrolling the north shore, and will staff Waimea Bay with additional lifeguards from 6am

Honolulu EMS will mobilize three EMS crews with ambulances, an EMS SUV with a paramedic, and an EMS command vehicle to provide comprehensive medical care throughout the event.

Officers from the Honolulu Police Department will be providing traffic control and event management alongside private security guards beginning Saturday evening.

It is critical that emergency vehicle access to Kamehameha Highway is maintained. Please pay attention to barriers restricting parking along the highway to ensure the passage of these vehicles.

To ensure public safety, event organizers strongly recommend that personal drones not be used during this event in the Waimea Bay region.

Additional city emergency personnel will be on standby should high surf in Waimea Bay, the North Shore or Leeward Island of Oahu result in additional dangerous conditions.

Public transportation

Traffic around Waimea Bay will be significantly impacted during the Eddie Big Wave Invitational, including parking in and near the beach park.

To ease congestion, the city will provide four additional early morning buses on Route 52 from Honolulu to the North Shore.

These special trips on Route 52 operate directly to Waimea Bay and depart from the Mauka (mountain) side of the Ala Moana Center at Kona Street and Kona Iki Street at the following times:

• 4:30am
• 5 a.m
• 5:30am
• 6 a.m

There are signs on the buses that read “52 HALEʻIWA-WAIMEA BAY.”

Regular Route 52 service

• The line 52 buses run every 30 minutes from 6:20 a.m
• Passengers on regular Route 52 trips must transfer to Route 60 at Weed Circle to reach Waimea Bay.
• Due to expected heavy traffic, travel time to Waimea Bay may be more than two hours. Please plan accordingly.

Park and ride options

• Passengers can park at the following locations along Route 52:
  • Kalihi Transit Center
  • Mililani Park and Ride
  • Wahiawa Armory
  • Wahiawa Park and Ride

Shuttle services

• TheBus will offer special shuttles between Haleiwa and Waimea Bay:
  • Shuttles marked “60 WAIMEA BAY” run from Haleiwa to Waimea Bay.
  • Shuttles marked “60 HALEʻIWA” run from Waimea Bay to Haleiwa.
• The shuttle service runs every 30 minutes between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., but there may be delays due to traffic conditions.

Return travel options

• Passengers returning after the event can:
  • Take Route 60 via Kaneohe to Honolulu and the Ala Moana Center.
  • Take Route 60 back to Haleiwa and transfer to Route 52 at Weed Circle.

Regular rates and passes apply. Transfers and day tickets are possible with valid HOLO cards. For more information, click here or call (808) 848-5555.

Parking facilities

Officials urge the public to dispose of waste properly and follow park rules. While extra toilets and trash cans are available, pack what you pack. Also, be sure to secure your belongings when you are on the beach as the high waves can wash away loose items at any time.

Other rules will be enforced including no alcohol, no smoking, no large canopies (unless permitted at the event), no drones and no fully enclosed tents in the beach park.

There are no authorized food concessions at Beach Park for this event. Please bring necessary supplies if you plan to spend the day at the bay. This includes food, sun protection and plenty of water. Park showers and drinking fountains are also available for fresh water needs.

If you are in the Bay during this event, please plan to have limited or no telecommunications capabilities. Due to Waimea Bay’s geographic location, telecommunications disruptions may occur frequently, particularly when tens of thousands of viewers are using cell phone and Internet services simultaneously.

Previous coverage:

Further information:

• Rip Curl The Eddie Big Wave Invitational
• TheEddieAikau.com

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