Photograph: Liz Barney/The GuardianĪs the first lifeguard of Waimea Bay, Eddie Aikau saved over 500 people from Waimea’s strong waves. Police officers shooed crowds out of the road, and people filled every spot they could find overlooking the bay. Many adults climbed high up into trees in search of a better vantage point. Indeed, the competition seemed to unleash a childish sense of wonder and excitement throughout the crowd. Even the old guys have got this look in their eyes like they’re five years old.” “Everyone is so excited,” said Maria Reed, who camped out the night before on a blanket alongside the road. Some places charged $25 to park three miles from the surf competition. As the buzz of excitement grew, so did the lack of parking. Many camped out along the road, or in the back of their cars. People lined the highway for up to four miles on either side of the bay. On Wednesday night, visitors and locals began swarming the area in the hopes of getting a good spot to watch from. “I just wanted to get a barrel for Brock.” “I’m a little emotional right now, losing Brock the other day,” he said. He came in from the water straight away and broke down during a TV interview, dedicating his last wave to North Shore surfer and close friend Brock Little, who died of cancer on 18 February. I’ve been riding the Eddie for 31 years so it was very emotional, but it was a great send-off.”Įleven-time surf world champion Slater was a strong contender, and scored a rare barrel in the second heat, just about scraping through as the wave crashed over him. After he got out of the water, Clyde said: “It’s always an honor to ride for Eddie. It’s the last time he’ll take part in the event. ‘Everyone is so excited.’ Photograph: Liz Barney/The GuardianĬlyde took his first wave on Thursday to huge cheers from the crowd.
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