Landon McNamara Wins The Eddie Aikau Invitational
For only the eleventh time in its forty year history the Eddie has run, and this time it's been won by Landon McNamara.
On a day of high anticipation the sideband energy didn't quite live up to the hype, yet the swell still delivered many stand up moments. A number of sets closed out the bay, competitors swung on low percentage waves, and perpetual challenger Mark Healey had to be helped from the water after a brutal wipeout broke his eardrum.
The swell peaked around midday with wave size estimated by competitors between 20 feet (Eala Stewart) and 60 feet (Billy Kemper).
Over two heats, surfers were awarded on their top three waves, and Landon, who's the son of contest organiser and one-time Pipe standout Liam McNamara, won convincingly with two waves over 40 and one perfect 50 point ride. His final score was 135.80, while second placed Mason Ho was 15 points back on 120.90.
Though he only caught two waves in his second heat - competitors were allowed four waves - the second and last wave was arguably the drop of the contest. In terms of size and aesthetics it wasn't unlike Ramon Navarro's famed wave from the 2009 Eddie, the difference being today's wave won the contest for McNamara - in 2009 Navarro came second to Greg Long.
“The thing was a bomb, I was pretty late. I gave it two paddles and then, I don’t know, I stopped and thought I was about to eat crap,” said Landon. “It felt like the gnarliest drop I’ve had in some years out here.”
We'll shortly have a photo gallery from Josh Bystrom and a contest recap from Steve Shearer.
The final standings are:
- Landon McNamara
- Mason Ho
- Billy Kemper
- Jamie O'Brien
- Nathan Florence
- Nick Lamb
- Luke Shepardson
- Kai Lenny
- Koa Rothman
- Ezekiel Lau
Comments
Enjoyable day of viewing. A lot of negative talk in the chat. A few notable absentees and those who should have been given an invite. Coverage was ok, adverts could have been timed differently and commentary a little more on point. All in all fun watching one of the most unique sporting events at the worlds original big wave.
Congrats to the competitors
Congratulations to Landon!
how much better is the Eddie than a wave pool event.
Seriously?
The thing that’s missing from the telecasts is that feeling you get seeing the size, raw power and intensity of the surf that you get when you’re there. It kinda throws the expectation of seeing normal surfing manoeuvres out the window and seeing someone getting a big one and making the takeoff is good enough.
What a celebration! Overflowing with aloha ! Following a turtle to get the win well done Landon !
How did Russ B go? I watched bits and pieces but didn't see him on a wave. Great effort by all involved, ski teams were doing it tough at times.
18th but a very creditable showing.
That comment sums up the state of Australian competition surfing today , we're fucked . So fucked that we are now giving out participation awards to our surfers at the highest level . In fact , is there any Australian surfer who is currently a world champion in any division of world surfing ?
This comment sucks.
Joel Taylor
Thanks Andrew , correct he is a world champion . But not an a Surfboard .
Dane Henry
He is a Junior World Champion , that is correct . I asked the question , so this answer is great news . But if you really think a boogie boarder and a Junior world champion are an argument against my opinion on where Australia is today in competition surfing , lets move on .
Did you actually see any of Russes waves ya fucken knuckle?
Thats irelevant . its a fact he came 18th , so 17 surfers were better . Do you think MR, Rabbit , Cairns , Warren , PT, RCJ, Tom C etc were hoping for faint priase from the press when they didnt get great results ?
Roll around with pigs, you both get covered in shit.
I'll leave it at that.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas
How do you know Russ is hoping for praise from the press for coming 18? Surely you’re not saying that?
totally, (I do take @kimbo's point, kinda, minus the ragging) but with 'competitive' surfing dying a slow, tortured, unattractive death, this cultural-event stands strong, imagine the genuine goodwill you must consistently display locally to get invited to an eddie?
And I like our surfers happy and honest anyway, with a family to share their journey. Not as glamorous as snorting coke in a trans-am on the way to a comp, but take laurie towner's gritty journey.. what a legend. love watching his clips, and respect his life.
https://wavelengthmag.com/feature-articles/a-new-chapter-for-aussie-cha…
or, hey, steph jagging a KMD contract till she's 44 to continue competing, but after a funded 12-month safari sabbatical.. it ain't the old days, it is what it is.. lotsa dudes finding niches, also having to have a side hustle, just like 99% of aussie bands and non-afl footballers have always done.
..east coast 'professional grommets' will start rolling through in the next 2-5 years, so I'm sure if there's comps for them, they'll win you some gold..
Lets see . Merry Christmas
In and out all day unlike my love life but a very worthy winner in Landon and some great viewing in amongst the chaff.
Looking forward to the write up to fill in the gaps.
Well if Luke was calling it 50-60 ft faces , that’s good enough for me . Unreal line he made on this wave .
I watched the whole comp which is rare for me….loved it…and the commentary was great….was a fun day all round…..good job to all.
The Bay called the Day. Another all hallowed day in Surfing folklore. It was what it was, legends made & enhanced.
Other's might have wondered what could of been ...? Cometh the moment, the spoils to the victors. Well done Floss, never doubted.
Wow what a Drop !
Congratulations Landon - well deserved. Insane drop and absolute amazing that he rode out. Gotta mention Jake Maki, he put himself in some very insane positions and sent it. I reckon he was aiming to pull in one where he grabs his rail (his first heat) - looked like he was lining up a tube line but had two people dropping in so had to change his line.
Russel charged as expected was just missing some luck, Luke Sheppo just looks comfortable out there and is ready to go anything. I think the saying about the bay choosing the victor is very true-
Love the humble and relaxed demeanor of many/ most - notably Greg Long, Sheppo. Billy Kemper excluded, he charges but fuck he irks me.
Its a different comp but intriguing to watch as you never know what is about to happen.
Good way to spend a recovery day.
Merry Christmas
How come Bruce didn’t end up surfing in it?
Spewing Healey got injured, he deserves to win this one day.
Someone mentioned on another thread that Bruce had a shoulder injury . I haven’t seen an explanation for why Kelly didn’t front . Maybe SS will have something in his report tomorrow .
I read on a surf site (has cams & surf report) that in round 1 'Laura Enever suffered a bad cut to her right thigh after being hit by her board in the shorebreak. Off to hospital (ambulance departure above), no risk to life, just a gnarly hole, “I’m just bummed I can’t surf my next heat.”'
A bit disappointing for her. Hell drops with crazy shore dump.
Yeah thats bad luck for Laura. She was having a fair dig.
Loved seeing RCJ doing what he's always done.
It’s gotten too soft.
Beating Laura enever at Waimea isn’t an achievement to be proud of.
There are countless people that deserved a chance before these chicks that don’t have the skills to be in a contest of such prestige. Future women probably will. Just not these ones.
The vests and impact suits and jet skis have diminished it too much.
A real Eddie contest should be on pre 1977 board designs and no skis or vests .
Even cooler would be to see how many of these people today would paddle out on a Pat Curren era gun and charge like they did back then.
Most of them would drown
haha today was too soft hey?
Maybe you could write a letter to the Aikau family with your thoughts .
They lost the plot .
A bunch of guys charged, but how many of them could do it without a leash?
Eddie was a great swimmer and surfer.
Thats the standard that should be kept
Ok, grandad. We better get you off to bed.
If it wasn’t for grandad , you wouldn’t be here
this is a terrible take. what justine dupont did was as gnarly as any standard you’re describing, you moron
I think they could all do it without a leash , I’m actually blown away those leashes didn’t snap with some of those waves , fuck it must just about rip ya leg off . I don’t believe the spirit of the Eddie is about how macho you can be , more about looking after each other, men & women all inclusive and respecting the ocean & each other . That’s why Luke Shepardson was such a popular winner , the Eddie spirit was what he was all about .
.
totally agree re the Luke S wave, kept us all tuned in for the day, that wild rail ride..
"Kelly wouldn't go." Only a goat knows the reasons.
https://www.kitv.com/news/local/kelly-slater-shares-why-he-chose-not-to…
Sorry base…I cut my comment here over to FR’s write up.
I think that Kelly article was from last year.
haha, yeh, noticed that, thought I'd leave mine here as an odd relic. yep, the Island News article, and the "act of selflessness and humility" KITV4 news clip is from the last Eddie, the boy certainly has form. I just thought it interesting he bent over backward to explain it and be mr-good-guy last time.. but this year.. nothing.. as far as I know.
Yep totally…typical narcissist behaviour… oblivious to how see-through his actions are.
Should’ve taken a leaf out of Greg Long’s book…retire gracefully and allow someone the honour of a full invite and preparation for the most important moment of their life.
The community, lifeguards & surfers are sharing aloha spirit; everyone can wear a life vest & legrope in massive waves. The surfers share waves & joy. Hope aloha spreads afar...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloha
1st heat; Russel B caught 3 waves in 30m. RCJ charges approaching 60.
Thanks Ripcurl and Aikau family for supporting & organising hard core surfing.
Mavericks is giant...giant...and freight training right now.
sounds like that family has done a great job over the past 12 months righting a keeling ship. the waimea win must a proud moment for them on multiple levels.
Looks like Landon now has some cash and they are going after some.
Bloody hell! The yanks they’ll do anything for a money grab and to crucify Jesus at this time of yr.
Ramon's was sick; a monster wave. Landon's was not as large but was obviously super hollow.