HALEIWA (Island News) – Final preparations for the 2024 Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational took place on Saturday.

This also included the participants preparing at Waimea Bay Beach Park.

Eddie surfer Francisco Porcella told Island News: “I’m competing tomorrow and I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life and I’ve come from the alternatives all these years – last year we didn’t run and this year we are running. “, it’s just a dream come true.”

“Now I’m finally here and represent my family, the place I come from. Maui was my home. Now it’s a real pleasure to surf Waimea,” Porcella added.

With conditions just right, fans go out of their way to watch Sunday’s competition.

At a high vantage point further down the road, near the competition, surfing fans came out in the dark last night and used machetes to cut through some of the taller grass and bushes to get a better view of the Eddie on Sunday.

Haleiwa resident Dave Elgas told Island News: “We just hope to see the Eddie go and hope to be respectful to the Aina. Despite the madness that’s to come, we know what’s coming here tonight, the walking zombies we have.” Whatever we call it, it’s going to be pretty crazy, I’ve seen all but the first one, and that one Here’s the biggest hype I’ve seen so far.

Living near the Eddie can be a blessing and also create its own competition. That would mean dozens of friends and family, if not more, visiting your property.

Surf fan Jayme Smith, who lives across the street from Eddie, said: “We’ll probably have over 150 people here that we know just cruising and usually barbecuing.”

“The energy and the people, it’s incredible, I feel like if you come to this side and off the island to see this, this island would be toppled by the whole island,” Smith added.

Eddie organizers have given the green light for the competition to start at 8am on Sunday.

Waves of over 40 feet are expected on the north shore, while on the lee shore waves could reach 25 feet or more.

The last call will be after daybreak, as soon as there is confirmation that the waves have arrived.