WAIMEA BAY, Hawaii (KHON2) — The Bay called the day as huge sets rolled in for The Eddie, after a fairly quiet day on Sunday.
“The buoys are rocking right now. We’re definitely going to see, at minimum, 20-foot Waimea sets and potentially even 50+ foot faces,” said Ocean Safety lifeguard and Eddie alternate, Joey Cadiz.
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The requirement to hold The Eddie is wave heights that consistently reach 20 feet. This is what makes the event so rare. The event on Sunday will be only the 10th time the event has been held.
Denton Miyamura won the first edition of The Eddie in Jan. 3, 1985, while a 23-year-old John John Florence won the event when it was last held on Feb. 25, 2016.
Parking was full at 6 a.m. and spectators were seen crowding Kamehameha Highway, with lots of people sleeping and camping out along the highway. HPD was seen towing cars along the street leading up to Waimea Bay.
Despite sleeping outside of Waimea Bay, a spectator shares some aloha the morning of The Eddie on Jan. 22, 2023 
Spectators slept outside Waimea Bay to await the start of The Eddie 
Spectators slept outside Waimea Bay to await the start of The Eddie 
Spectators slept outside of Waimea Bay and along Kamehameha Hwy to await The Eddie on Jan. 22, 2023 
Spectators slept outside of Waimea Bay and along Kamehameha Hwy to await The Eddie on Jan. 22, 2023 
The shoreline of Waimea Bay is packed with spectators during The Eddie on Jan. 22, 2023. 
Sets starting to pick up on the morning of the 10th iteration of The Eddie, on Jan. 22, 2023. 
The Eddie was officially called on, at first light on Jan. 22, 2023, by Clyde Aikau. 
Shane Dorian is seen after his first heat at The Eddie on Jan. 22, 2023. 
Shane Dorian is seen after his first heat at The Eddie on Jan. 22, 2023. 
Spectators are seen along the shoreline of Waimea Bay on the morning of the 10th iteration of The Eddie, on Jan. 22, 2023 
Ocean Safety lifeguards are seen watching the sets roll in on the morning of The Eddie, on Jan. 22, 2023. 
A wall of water is seen at Waimea Bay as large sets started to roll in on the morning of The Eddie, on Jan. 22, 2023. 
Spectators are seen along the shoreline of Waimea Bay, watching The Eddie, on Jan. 22, 2023. 
Keala Kennelly is seen watching the sets roll in before her heat at The Eddie, on Jan. 22, 2023. 
Thousands of spectators crowd the beach of Waimea Bay on the morning of The Eddie, on Jan. 22, 2023. 
Crowds gather to watch The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay on Sunday, January 22, 2023. 
Thousands of spectators are seen lining the shoreline of Waimea Bay for the 10th running of The Eddie, on Jan. 22, 2023 
Jerseys are seen lining the surfer area at The Eddie on Jan. 22, 2023 
Veteran surfer Peter Mel is interviewed at The Eddie on Jan. 22, 2023 
First responders on stand-by as mass crowds line the shoreline of Waimea Bay for The Eddie on Jan. 22, 2023 
Spectators line the shoreline, some braving the high tide line at Waimea Bay on Jan. 22, 2023 
A line of surfers waiting to head out for their heat at the 10th running of The Eddie 
Spectators are swept by the large swell that powered the 10th running of The Eddie, on Jan. 22, 2023 
John John Florence, also known as JJF, is seen checking out the swells at the 10th running of The Eddie, on Jan. 22, 2023 
Clyde Aikau is seen enjoying The Eddie, in memory of his brother, on Jan. 22, 2023
Waves have already been sweeping in toward the lifeguard tower, washing out people’s belongings. Ocean Safety reminds spectators to not run after their things, if they do get swept away. There are dangerous conditions with these large swells and people could get seriously hurt.
The first heat starts at 8 a.m. and will air on KHII, channel 5 and stream on KHON2.com.
