Photo: Tucker Wooding // YouTube

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Despite a week of hype, it wasn’t until the very last second that we knew The Eddie was actually leaving. The swell reports were promising and the green light was given, but there was still some doubt as to whether the conditions would actually be perfect for “Eddie-sized” waves. Then they did, and on Sunday the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational took place for the 11th time in its 40-year history.

What followed was truly a spectacle. In explosive, nightmare-inducing bombshells, the world’s best big wave surfers vied for a ride that would not only bring them fame, but also serve as a fitting tribute to the legend of Eddie Aikau. Videographer Tucker Wooding was there for it all and recently put together a highlight reel for a post on his YouTube channel that truly captures the magnitude of the famous event.

As always, this year’s Eddie had a stacked squad. The video features waves from Grant Baker, Luke Shepardson, John John Florence, Mason Ho, Kai Lenny, Billy Kemper, Nathan Florence, Russel Bierke, Bianca Valenti, Annie Reickert and of course event winner Landon McNamara.

“They say Eddie picks the winner,” McNamara said in a heartfelt panel speech afterward, “and I’m just so grateful he picked me.”