The Rip Curl Eddie Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau 2025-2026 invitees and alternates for this season have been announced.
The Eddie is committed to running only in the heaviest conditions, with a competition window from December 7 to March 6, 2025. For the event to be called on, waves must consistently reach at least 20+ feet (Hawaiian scale), with ideal conditions pushing 30-40 feet. The Eddie has only run 10 times in the last 40 years.
“The Eddie Aikau Foundation analyzed the results from the last two EDDIES that ran in 2023 and 2024. We incorporated additional selection criteria from that data. We conducted a lot of research into the history and experiences of the big wave surfers under consideration,” reads a statement issued to the press. “We have a mix of surfers from Hawaii, the mainland and international as well that we feel will represent the spirit and legacy of Eddie Aikau,” said Linda Ipsen, the President of the Eddie Aikau Foundation.”
“We are grateful to be partnering with The Eddie Aikau Foundation for a second year to bring this iconic event to life,” said James Taylor, Rip Curl’s General Manager of Marketing. “Supporting events with rich history and cultural significance is core to Rip Curl’s DNA, and this could not be more true than with THE EDDIE.”
The opening ceremony will take place on December 5, 2025, at Waimea Bay Beach Park. After that, as they say, the Bay calls the day.
The list includes past winners Landon McNamara, Luke Shepardson, John John Florence, Kelly Slater, and Ross Clarke-Jones.
Nic Von Rupp from Portugal has made the invite list, Tom Lowe, and Othmane Choufani (Morocco) have made the alternate list.
2025-2026 Invitees
- Aaron Gold (Oahu)
- Annie Reickert (Maui)
- Bianca Valenti (California)
- Billy Kemper (Maui)
- Chad Keaulana (Oahu)
- Eala Stewart (Oahu)
- Eli Olson (Oahu)
- Emily Erickson (Oahu)
- Ezekiel Lau (Oahu)
- Grant “Twiggy” Baker (South Africa)
- Haʻa Aikau (Oahu)
- Jake Maki (Oahu)
- Jamie Mitchell (Australia)
- Jamie O’Brien (Oahu)
- Joey Cadiz (Oahu)
- John John Florence (Oahu)
- Justine Dupont (France)
- Kai Lenny (Maui)
- Kelly Slater (Florida)
- Koa Rothman (Oahu)
- Landon McNamara (Oahu)
- Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca (Brazil)
- Luke Shepardson (Oahu)
- Makua Rothman (Oahu)
- Mark Healey (Oahu)
- Mason Ho (Oahu)
- Matahi Drollet (Tahiti)
- Nathan Florence (Oahu)
- Nic von Rupp (Portugal)
- Ross Clarke-Jones (Australia)
- Russell Bierke (Australia)
- Torrey Meister (Maui)
Alternates
Kāne
- Cliff Kapono (Hawaii)
- Mikey O’Shaughnessy (Oahu)
- Isamu Sumi (Japan)
- Tom Lowe (England)
- Kaiwi Berry (Oahu)
- Ty Simpson-Kane (Maui)
- Michael “Mitch” Sanborn (Oahu)
- Kala Grace (Oahu)
- Albee Layer (Maui)
- Tiger Doerner (Oahu)
- Ian Walsh (Maui)
- Othmane Choufani (Morocco)
- Tyler Larronde (Maui)
- Taio Shipman (Oahu)
- Jojo Roper (California)
- Koa Smith (Oahu)
- Francisco Porcella (Italy)
- Matt Bromley (South Africa)
- Shinpei Horiguchi (Japan)
- Kona Oliveira (Oahu)
- Wilem Banks (California)
- Barron Mamiya (Oahu)
Wāhine
- Anne Dos Santos (Brazi)
- Paige Alms (Maui)
- Laura Enever (Australia)
- Makani Adric (Oahu)
- Tiare Lawrence (Maui)
- Zoe Chait (California)
