Andy Irons 

Andy Irons

d.o.b:  July 24, 1978
resides:  Hanalei, Kauai
weight: 170 lbs
height: 6'0"
stance: Regular (natural) foot
rating: World champion (2002, 2003, 2004)
contest wins: Rip Curl Pipemasters (2006)
Rip Curl Search (2006)
Rip Curl Pro (2005)
Quiksilver Pro France (2005)
Japan Quiksilver Pro (2005)
Quiksilver Pro France (2004)
Billabong Pro (2004)
X Box Pipeline Masters (2003)
Quiksilver Pro France (2003)
Niijima Quiksilver Pro (2003)
Quiksilver Pro (2003)
Rip Curl Pro (2003)
X Box Pipeline Masters (2002)
Billabong Pro (2002)
Billabong Pro Teahupoo (2002)
Rip Curl Pro (2002)
Billabong Pro (2000)
Op Pro (1998)

A three-time World Champion and one of the most revered competitors on tour today, Andy Irons has been unstoppable in international competition. Like Kelly Slater, Irons has emerged as a world class surfer at every possible level and the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is just one more arena that Andy has excelled in. While it was younger brother Bruce who dominated the limelight here in 2004, it's safe to say that Andy was one of his driving forces in the event. Andy finished in fourth place overall and featured on some of the biggest waves of the day. Like Bruce, Andy's experience at Waimea is limited, but his big-wave experience and capabilities make him a perfect fit.

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    • Brian Keaulana 

    Brian Keaulana

    d.o.b:  May 12, 1961
    resides:  Makaha, Hawaii
    weight: 185 lbs
    height: 6'0"
    stance: Regular
    rating: No. 250 WCT (1989)

    Brian is a multi-discipline waterman with a penchant for big waves. He has never competed on the tour full time. He is a former world tandem surfing champion, a stunt director to Hollywood, and travels the world as water safety officer.

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    • Brock Little 


    Arguably the top big wave rider in the world in the 80’s and early 90’s, Brock Little’s fearless approach at Waimea earned him a 2nd place finish in the 1990 Eddie. He caught two legendary waves that year - one was possibly the largest paddle in wave ever caught, and the other was the best barrel ride at Waimea in history. Brock now works as a stunt man on big Hollywood productions but is still a top big wave rider who loves to surf da bay at its best.

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    • Bruce Irons 

    Bruce Irons

    d.o.b:  November 16, 1979
    resides:  Hanalei, Kauai
    weight: 165 lbs
    height: 5'10"
    stance: Regular (natural) foot
    rating: No. 9 WCT (2005)
    contest wins: Rip Curl Search (2008)
    Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational (2004)
    XBOX Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters (2001)

    Bruce truly came into his own at this event in December of 2004. With the attention of the surfing world focused on his older brother's third world crown, Bruce entered the Eddie with little expectation or pressure. An invitee for the first time the year prior, Bruce was yet to set foot in the surf at Waimea when last year's contest was called on. From his first heat, his performance was mind-blowing as he proceeded to throw himself into the biggest waves of the day. Over two rounds of competition, Bruce posted the two highest wave scores of the day: a perfect 100 on his final ride of round one, and a near-perfect 99 on his final ride of the second round. The day clearly belonged to him. Despite being one of the youngest surfers in the event, the honor of victory in this memorial event was not lost on Irons, particularly given that he has grown up with a full appreciation of Aikau and the prestige of the Eddie.

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    • Carlos Burle 

    Carlos Burle

    d.o.b: November 9, 1967
    resides: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    weight:150 lbs
    height:5'6"
    stance:Regular
    rating:No. 68 WCT (1988)
    contest wins: Red Bull Big Waves Africa (2005)
    2nd Bank of Hawaii North Shore Tow-in Surfing (2007)
    2nd Tow Surfer Awards (2003/2004)

    Big wave chargers seem to largely fit into one of two molds: highly charged or relaxed to the point of a death-like calm. Chilled Burle falls into the latter category. You've got to wonder how Carlos maintains his serenity in such intense situations, but he's been towing and paddling into some of the world's biggest surf for close to two decades now that it's as comfortable as home. Whether its Jaws, Todos, Mavs or Waimea, Carlos is ready.

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    • Clyde Aikau 

    Clyde Aikau

    d.o.b: October 24, 1949
    resides: Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii
    weight:185 lbs
    height:5'9"
    stance:Regular
    rating:No. 12 WCT (1976)
    contest results: Winner Quiksilver Eddie Aikau (1986)
    3rd Stubbies Surf Classic (1977)
    7th Pro Class Trials (1976)

    Clyde made a relatively late start in surfing, particularly by Hawaiian standards. In 1961, at the age of 12, he took all the proceeds of his newspaper run and headed to Longs Drug Store in Ala Moana for his very first "Shark" surfboard. Forty-four years later, Aikau is the most experienced and successful Waimea Bay rider of the field. As one of only three of today's invitees who actually knew Eddie Aikau, Clyde was closer than anyone, not just the younger brother, but also Eddie's best friend and favorite surfing partner. It was from Eddie that Clyde learned first how to surf and then how to ride big waves at the Bay. It was a fitting tribute when he won the inaugural Waimea Bay Quiksilver In memory of Eddie Aikau contest, held in challenging 20-25 foot surf on February 21, 1986.

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    • Darryl Virostko 

    Darryl Virostko

    d.o.b: December 25, 1971
    resides: Santa Cruz, California
    height:5'8"
    stance:Regular
    rating: No. 290 WQS (2000)
    contest results: Competed from 1993 to 2004. Best result: 13th TC Lacanau Pro (2000).
    A part-time pro surfer and full-time big-wave charger.

    If past performance is anything to go by, expect to feel the elevator drop when Virostko takes to the waves at Waimea. On the 20th anniversary of the Eddie, 'Flea' came close to dismembering himself by taking the most outrageous late drop on a woolly mammoth of a wave. The ensuing rinse-spin cycle shredded his contest jersey clean off him and held him down 'til the light began to fade. But to focus on a wipeout doesn't do Darryl justice. The point is, the bigger it gets, the better he gets and watching him ride Waimea on a massive day is pure surf poetry.

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    • Evan Slater 

    Hailing from Ventura, California, Evan is the mild mannered editor of Surfing magazine who also doubles as a hell charger. His fearless approach has gotten him to the finals of the Maverick’s big wave event on multiple occasions. He is making his first appearance as an alternate in this event.

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    • Grant "Twiggy" Baker 

    Without a doubt Grant “Twiggy” Baker has proven himself to be an elite big wave rider over the last few years. He’s won both the Maverick’s event and the Dungeons contest near his home in South Africa. Look for him to make a strong showing in his first appearance at the Eddie.

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    • Greg Long 

    Greg Long

    resides: San Clemente, California
    weight:160 lbs
    height:5'10"
    stance:Regular
    rating: No. 392 WQS (2005)
    contest results: 1st Place Red Bull BWA (2003)
    2nd Mavericks Big Wave Event (2005)
    NSSA National Open Men's Champion 2001

    At just 24 years of age, Greg is a leader of big-wave surfing's new crew. Since graduating in 2001, around the same time that he won the NSSA National Open title, Long has followed winter around the world to log a ridiculous amount of monster-surf time, massive rides and major kudos. He follows in the footstep of SoCal chargers the likes of Taylor Knox, Brad Gerlach and Mike Parsons who have honed their skills at Todos and Cortez to make a seamless transition to Waimea.

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    • Ibon Amatriain 

    Ibon Amatriain

    stance:Goofy-foot
    rating: No. 318 WCT (1990)
    contest results: Competed from 1988 to 2001. Best result: 33rd Body Glove Surfbout VII (1994)
    Europe's top big-wave pick.

    Prior to Feb.17 2006, you'd have been hard-pressed to find anyone outside of Europe who could tell you who Ibon Amatriain was. All that changed when the Spaniard towed into a shadowy-grey, furling left at Planeixa, in northern Spain, that put both country and rider on the big-wave map. Ibon hurtled down the face of a solid 45-plus-foot face and into the running for the biggest wave ridden in '06. While he was edged out of that honor, it was all he needed to get a foot in the door of big-wave riding's elite. Next stop: Waimea

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    • Jamie O'Brien 

    Jamie O'Brien

    d.o.b: June 9, 1983
    resides: Pipeline, Hawaii
    weight:195 lbs
    height:6'1"
    stance:Regular, Switch
    rating:No. 58 WQS (2004)
    contest wins: Rip Curl Pipeline Masters (2004)
    Monster Energy Pipeline Pro (2007)

    One of the new, young breed of big wave chargers, O'Brien is best known for his mastery of the Banzai Pipeline. After reaching the pinnacle of his Pipeline career in 2004 with victory in the Pipe Masters, O'Brien's consistent charge into bigger and heavier waves has landed him on the Quiksilver Eddie invitee list two years running. While his experience at the Bay is somewhat limited, his experience with big waves is not. Like other young invitees Makua Rothman, Jamie Sterling and Mark Healey, O'Brien's whole life of surfing experience has been geared towards pushing the limits of wave-riding to the edge.

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    • Jamie Sterling 

    Jamie Sterling

    d.o.b: March 18, 1981
    resides: North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
    weight:147 lbs
    height:5'7"
    stance:Goofy-foot
    rating:No. 224 WQS (2004)
    contest wins: 4th Billabong Pro Teahupoo (2003)
    7th Sobe No Fear presents the Xcel Pro (2004)

    In his fifth year on the esteemed Quiksilver Eddie invitee list, Jamie stands as one of the most promising young big wave riders to emerge on the North Shore in recent years. Even in this company, he's developing a reputation for charging when the surf gets huge. Whether it be at the Banzai Pipeline, at Tahiti's Teahupoo, or a remote African surf spot, fear is not a word in Jamie's vocabulary. He thrives on traveling to the world's premier big wave locations and taking up the challenge. A goofy-footer like Tom Carroll and Derek Ho, Jamie is one of the rarities - an accomplished backside surfer at Waimea.

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    • Kelly Slater 

    Kelly Slater

    d.o.b: February 11, 1972
    resides: Florida and Hawaii
    weight:160 lbs
    height:5'9"
    stance:Regular (natural) foot
    rating: World Champion (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006. 2008)
    contest wins: Boost Mobile Pro (2008)
    Billabong Pro J-Bay (2008)
    Globe Pro Fiji (2008)
    Rip Curl Pro Bells (2008)
    Quiksilver Pro (2008)
    Boost Mobile Pro (2007)
    Quiksilver Pro (2006)
    Rip Curl Pro (2006)
    Billabong Pro (2005)
    Globe World Tour Fiji (2005)
    Billabong Pro J-Bay (2005)
    Boost Mobile Pro (2005)
    Santa Catarina Pro (2003)
    Billabong Pro, Mundaka (2003)
    Billabong Pro J-Bay (2003)
    Billabong Pro (2003)
    Quiksilver Eddie Aikau (2002)
    Gotcha Pro Tahiti pres by Globe (2000)
    Mountain Dew Pipemasters (1999)
    Billabong Pro (1998)
    Rio Surf Pro (1997)
    Marui Pro (1997)
    Tokushima Pro (1997)
    Billabong Pro (1997)
    Coke Classic (1997)
    Chiemsee Pipe Masters (1996)
    Quiksilver Surf Masters (1996)
    Rip Curl Pro (1996)
    US Open (1996)
    CSI/Billabong Pro (1996)
    Rip Curl Pro (1996)
    Coke Classic (1996)
    Chiemsee Pipe Masters, (1995)
    Quiksilver Pro (1995)
    Chiemsee Pipe Masters (1994)
    Gotcha Lacanau Pro (1994)
    Rip Curl Pro (1994)
    Marui Pro (1993)
    Marui Masters (1992)
    Rip Curl Pro Landes (1992)

    Nine-time ASP World Surfing Champion elect, Slater remains the most accomplished competitive surfer in history. In his first season on tour in 1992, at the age of 20, he became the youngest surfer to ever win the world championship. By the time of his semi-retirement at the end of 1998, Slater had amassed a record six world titles and had become the highest prizemoney winner in the history of the sport. He had also developed an extraordinary skill range bridging the gap from the tiny beachbreaks of Cocoa Beach, Florida, to the heaving reefbreak barrels of Hawaii. After returning to full-time competition, Slater went on to claim one of the sport's greatest feats when he won the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau in 2002.

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    • Keone Downing 

    Keone Downing

    d.o.b: October 15, 1953
    resides: Honolulu, Hawaii
    weight:180 lbs
    height:5'11"
    stance:Regular
    rating:No. 31 WCT (1978)
    contest wins: Winner Quiksilver Eddie Aikau (1990)
    9th Stubbies Surf Classic (1979)
    9th Rip Curl/Coca-Cola Classic (1978)

    1990 winner. Along with Clyde Aikau, Michael Ho and Titus Kinimaka, Keone is one of just four invitees who actually hail from Eddie Aikau's era, and like Aikau, Kinimaka and Ho, he is a testament to the fact that experience is the most important element of big wave riding. Learning to surf on Oahu's South Shore, Keone did much of his big wave riding at Makaha under the tutelage of his father George, one of Hawaii's pioneer big wave riders. A well-decorated competitive surfer during the 70s, Keone returned to the victory dais in 1990, when he won the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau. Humble, calm and collected, Downing possesses all the key attributes of a big wave rider.

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    • Makua Rothman 

    Makua Rothman

    d.o.b: June 17, 1984
    resides: North Shore, Oahu
    weight:180 lbs
    height:5'10"
    stance:Regular
    rating:No. 112 WQS (2006)
    contest wins: XXL Big Wave winner (2003)
    7th Quiksilver Pro Fiji WQS (2004)
    4th XCel Pro (2006)

    Makua represents the newest breed of big wave riders and remains the youngest invitee to this prestigious event, now in his third Eddie season. Five winters ago, at just 18 years of age, Makua stopped the surfing world cold in their tracks when he rode a mammoth 66-foot beast of a wave off the North Shore of Maui. It comes as no surprise that Makua has established himself as a big wave surfer. He has been in the ocean since birth and has lived with the most powerful of waves on his doorstep at Sunset Beach. His ties to the Quiksilver Eddie go back to his father - Eddie Rothman, who was one of the founders of the first Eddie Aikau Memorial event, held at Sunset Beach in 1986, before moving to Waimea to become the event it is today.

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    • Mark Healey 

    Mark Healey

    rating: No. 471 WQS (2005)
    contest results: Competed selectively from 2004 to present. Best result: 25th Billabong Pro Teahupoo (2006)

    Widely recognized as one of the modern day Banzai Pipeline aficionados, Mark has turned the courage and fearlessness it takes to ride Pipe into a talent for even bigger wave riding - a limit he continues to push with each passing year. His reputation as a highly skilled surfer and big wave rider is well regarded within surfing circles and nowhere more so than at home on Oahu's North Shore. Known as a go-for-broke surfer since a very young age, Mark is also an incredible diver who knows the ins and outs of the underwater North Shore like the back of his hand. His ability to stay in the moment and in control no matter how big the surf is a reflection of a lifetime spent outdoors and in the ocean.

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    • Micheal Ho 

    Micheal Ho

    d.o.b: July 13, 1957
    resides: North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
    weight:165 lbs
    height:5'7"
    stance:Natural (regular) foot
    rating:No. 3 WCT (1978)
    contest wins: ASP Grand Masters (2000)
    Triple Crown champion (1983, 1985)
    World Cup of Surfing, Sunset Beach (1983, 84, 85)
    Pipeline Masters (1982)

    Michael Ho is a North Shore veteran with a list of surfing achievements that stands tall to today. Michael has enjoyed one of professional surfing's longest careers, first joining the pro tour in 1976 and posting his maiden ASP victory in 1982, when he won the Pipe Masters. In 1983 and '85 he was the Triple Crown of Surfing champion. In 1997, at the age of 40, Michael placed second in the inaugural Quiksilver World Masters championship and was so motivated to compete again that he entered the Pipe Masters trials, going on to reach the final and finishing ahead of defending Pipe Master Kelly Slater. In 2000, Michael won the Grand Masters championship. A regular invitee to the Eddie, Michael is one of only four invitees who actually knew and surfed with Eddie Aikau.

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    • Noah Johnson 

    Noah Johnson

    d.o.b: Age 33
    resides: Oahu, Hawaii
    weight:155 lbs
    height:5'6"
    stance:Regular
    rating:No. 262 WQS (1999)
    contest wins: Quiksilver Eddie Aikau champion (1999)
    Competed in a few ASP events from 1992 to 2000
    Best result: 13th Quiksilver Surfmasters (1992)

    In 1999, at the age of 25, Noah Johnson became the youngest ever Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau champion. At the time, Noah was a relative unknown outside of the tight Hawaii surfing circle. But that all changed when he charged to victory in classic 25-foot conditions. While he never had the intense desire of some of his peers to succeed on the world pro tour, he learned early that he had a natural aptitude for huge surf. It all came together at Waimea Bay on New Year's Day of '99, when he clinched the biggest and heaviest wave of a wild and wind-torn day to secure his spot in big wave history.

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    • Paul Paterson 

    Paul Paterson

    d.o.b: Age 36
    resides: Western Australia
    weight:160 lbs
    height:5'7"
    stance:Regular
    rating:No. 80 WQS (1999)
    contest wins: Nias Indonesian Open (1997)
    G-Shock World Cup of Surfing (1996)
    2nd Xcel Pro (2002)
    2nd Rip Curl Cup (1999)

    Nicknamed the "Antman" for his small build and subsequent appearance on big waves, Paul is one of Australia's most fearless and stylish big wave riders, finishing in the top three in the 2002 Quiksilver Eddie. The most notable performances of Paterson's career have all been in big waves, including victories in the World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach and the Todos Big Wave Challenge. His ocean skills are the by-product of a lifetime spent diving, fishing and surfing, but his number one passion remains big wave riding. Like fellow Australian Tony Ray, Paul takes his invitations into the Eddie seriously and spends most of every winter surfing on Oahu's North Shore in preparation for the event.

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    • Peter Mel 

    Peter Mel

    resides: Santa Cruz, CA.
    weight:200 lbs
    height:6'2"
    stance:Regular
    rating: No. 63 WQS (1994)
    contest wins: The Billabong (1997)
    4th Bud Surf Tour (1992)

    Once called "the best surfer in California from two feet to 20", Peter Mel has outlived every trend and fad in the surf world and ended up on top of the pile. Mel is a Santa Cruz legend who has substantially contributed both to the early days of the aerial generation and to the new frontier of tow-in surfing. He is without a doubt the most accomplished hell-man when California's terrifying Mavericks is maxed-out. Mel's extensive big wave experience is evident in his Eddie performances. He placed fourth in the 1999 Eddie is itching to take it higher when the event goes again.

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    • Ramon Navarro 

    The son of Chilean fisherman, Ramon Navarro has become his nation’s top big wave rider. A pioneer of heavy water spots up and down the length Chile’s wave filled coastline, Ramon is making his debut this year at the Eddie.

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    • Ross Clarke-Jones 

    Ross Clarke-Jones

    d.o.b: June 6, 1966
    resides: Bells Beach, Australia
    weight:176 lbs
    height:5'8"
    stance:Regular
    rating:No. 24 WCT (1989)
    contest wins: Quiksilver Eddie Aikau (2001)

    Established pro surfer during the late 80s and early 90s, Ross has always been a surfer of intense dedication and determination who found his best results in critical, heavy surf. When size and intensity kicked up a gear, Clarke-Jones had an automatic advantage over 90 per cent of the field. It came as no surprise that Hawaii was where Ross would feel most comfortable, and he took to relocating from Australia each Hawaiian winter, sometimes for periods of up to five months. His first Eddie experience came in 1999, with a seventh placing that did nothing more than fuel his fire to push harder next time around. Just two years later, the Eddie was his. He came close again in 2004, finishing runner-up to Bruce Irons.

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    • Rusty Keaulana 

    Rusty Keaulana

    d.o.b: March 6, 1966
    resides: Makaha, Oahu, Hawaii
    weight:190 lbs
    height:6'0"
    stance:Predominately goofy-foot, but an exceptional switch-foot
    rating: 3-time ASP World Longboard Champion (1993, 94, 95)No. 164 WCT (1988) on the pro shortboard circuit - only competed in a few events.
    contest wins: 5th HIC Pipeline Pro (1995)
    5th Quiksilver NSW Open (1994)

    A champion longboarder turned champion big wave rider whose West Side upbringing has revolved around the ocean since his first day of life. Rusty, second son of Buffalo and younger brother of Brian, has won three world pro longboard titles, and holds a fifth place in the 1999 Quiksilver to his credit. He has long been famed for his remarkable ability to "switch feet", or ride with either left or right foot forward on the board - an uncommon skill that reflects an energetic, happy-go-lucky nature.

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    • Shane Dorian 

    Shane Dorian

    d.o.b: July 19, 1972
    resides: Kona, Hawaii
    weight:160 lbs
    height:5'9"
    stance:Regular
    rating: No. 4 WCT (2000)
    contest wins: Billabong Pro (2000)
    Rip Curl Pro (1999)
    Rip Curl World Cup (1998)
    The O'Neill Surf Challenge (1996)

    Having spent almost half his life on the ASP's world championship tour, Shane is a grounded, seasoned competitor who has excelled in every size and type of wave around the planet - particularly when it's gigantic. A highly focused, fearless and dedicated individual, renowned among his peers as a serious charger when conditions reach critical, Shane possesses all the right attributes for a big wave rider and is an unquestioned selection for the Quiksilver Eddie. His third-place finish in 2004 only served to reinforce this notion. While he is one of the smaller, compact breed of big wave riders at 5'9" and 155 pounds, Shane boasts a clean style and rock-solid form that serve him well in extra large surf.

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    • Sunny Garcia 

    Sunny Garcia

    d.o.b: January 24, 1970
    resides: Kauai, Hawaii
    weight:200 lbs
    height:5'10"
    stance:Regular
    rating: World Champion (2000)
    contest wins: Vans Hawaiian Pro (2004)
    Billabong Pro (2000)
    Rip Curl Pro (2000, 1995)
    Rip Curl World Cup (2000)
    Quiksilver Surfmasters (1995)
    OP Pro (1995, 1993)
    Reunion Pro (1994)
    Hapuna World Cup of Surfing (1994)
    Gunston 500 (1992)
    Wyalnd Galleries Hawaiian Pro (1992)
    Pukas Pro (1991)
    Seland Pro (1991)

    After 20 years on the pro surfing tour, Garcia hung up his ASP contest jersey in 2005, but there are many years of big-wave riding still awaiting him. Garcia has consistently featured in the Eddie over the years, both as invitee and as alternate, and has never been disappointment. A heavy-weight Hawaiian who revels in the opportunity to ride serious surf, Garcia has all the right big-wave riding tools: experience, respect, and years of proven performances. Sunny is a former world champion, multiple Triple Crown of Surfing champion, and winner of countless events around the world.

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    • Takayuki Wakita 

    Takayuki Wakita

    rating: No. 123 WQS (1996)
    contest wins: 4th Swatch World Challenge Chiba Open (1999)
    5th Stussy World Challenge (1996)

    Wakita is by no means an experienced Waimea surfer, having only ventured out there a handful of times, but his fearlessness will be sure to set him right in the thick of the action. An established kamikaze charger at Pipeline, Takayuki has blazed his way through 15-foot barrels at the Banzai. Though relatively inexperienced in the macking-Waimea category, expect his go-for-it approach to place him behind the bowl, in the critical position.

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    • Titus Kinimaka 

    Titus Kinimaka

    d.o.b: January 24, 1955
    resides: Anahola, on the north shore of Kauai, HI
    weight:175 lbs
    height:6'0"
    stance:Goofy-foot, switch-foot
    rating: unrated
    contest wins: Known world-wide for his stylish, calm-under-pressure big-wave riding and diverse ocean skills. Always a feature of the Quiksilver Eddie Aikau
    Competed only selectively on the world tour from 1982 to 1989. Best result: 58th Stubbies Surf Classic (1982)

    One of the most consistently invited surfers over the 22-year history of this event, Kinimaka holds company with surfing's most highly respected members. An absolute waterman, Titus first surfed with Eddie Aikau on the North Shore of Oahu in the mid-70s. Like Aikau, he developed a passion for big-wave riding and was hit hard by Aikau's loss in 1978. To be able to surf in Aikau's honor has always been important to Titus and his ernest preparation for this event over the years has never waned. In fact, his preparation saved his own life in 1989, when, on Christmas Day, he suffered a serious wipeout and injury at Waimea Bay. In waves of 15-18-foot waves, Titus made a perfect drop into one of the bigger sets of the day, but while racing to out-pace the wave found himself within the exploding white-water. The force threw his surfboard on edge and into his thigh like a knife-edge, snapping his femur clean in two. Amazingly, just two months later he was fully recovered and back in the water. With 47 years of surfing experience and a lifetime in and around the sea, Kinimaka is not only a worthy invitee to the Eddie, but also has plenty of knowledge and experience to offer his peers and successors.

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    • Tom Carroll 

    Tom Carroll

    d.o.b: November 26, 1961
    resides: Newport, Sydney, New South Wales AUS
    weight:160 lbs
    height:5'6"
    stance:Goofy-foot
    rating: World Champion (1983, 1984)
    contest wins: Marui Pipeline Masters (1990)
    BHP Steel Int'l (1989)
    Pipe Masters (1987)
    World Cup of Surfing (1982)

    A consummate surfer and waterman, Carroll has conquered the surfing gamut from world titles to Pipeline Masters and Triple Crown of Surfing success. A two-time world champion and fearless wave warrior, Tom has a power-packed punch for all conditions. He mastered Pipeline with a ferocious goofy-foot attack, gouging turns where no man had dared to go. At Waimea, he's just as committed with a backhand approach to taking the big drops. You won't ever see "Tommy Gun" hold back.

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    • Tony Ray 

    Tony Ray

    d.o.b: Age 39
    resides: Torquay, Australia
    weight:160 lbs
    height:6'0"
    stance:Regular
    rating: No. 11 WCT (1992)
    contest wins: OP Hawaiian Pro (1997)
    Lacanau Pro (1992)
    No. 2 Billabong Pro (1990)
    No. 3 Swan Premium Thriller (1986)

    Tony Ray has been one of the world's premier big wave riders for more than a decade. A regular Eddie invitee and devoted competitor, Ray has been one of the event's top performers, placing runner-up in 2001 and 2002. With a big wave style founded on the raw, open ocean waves near Bells Beach in Australia, surfing Waimea comes naturally and with a passion to Tony. Mellow and gentle-spirited on land, Tony maintains his calm disposition in the ocean, no matter how giant the waves. Tony is highly respected among his peers in Hawaii and has been duly rewarded with more than a few great days at Waimea.

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    • Darrick Doerner 

    Darrick Doerner

    d.o.b: February 16, 1957
    resides: Haleiwa, Hawaii
    weight:160 lbs
    height:5'7"
    stance:Regular
    rating: Master Waterman
    contest wins: Not a contest surfer. Specialist big wave rider.


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    • Chava Greenlee 

    Chava Greenlee

    d.o.b: May 16, 1972
    resides: North Shore of Kauai
    weight:260 lbs
    height:6'3"
    stance:Regular
    rating: No. 141 WCT (1991)
    contest wins: 9th HIC Pipeline Pro (1997)


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    • Kalani Chapman 

    Kalani Chapman

    rating: No. 294 WQS (2005)
    contest wins: No. 17 Xcel Pro presented by No Fear (2006)


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    • Pancho Sullivan 

    Pancho Sullivan

    d.o.b: July 1, 1973
    resides: North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
    weight:210 lbs
    height:6'0"
    stance:Regular (natural) foot
    rating: No. 27 WCT (2006)
    contest wins: O'Neill Coldwater Classic (2005)
    Monster Energy Pro presented by Billabong (2005)
    Rusty/Xcel Pro (2000) Xcel Pro (1998)


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    • Taylor Knox 

    Taylor Knox

    d.o.b: May 15, 1971
    resides: NCarlsbad, California, USA
    weight:170 lbs
    height:5'10"
    stance:Regular (natural) foot
    rating: No. 4 WCT (2001)
    contest wins: The Mr Price Pro (2000)
    Rio Surf Pro (1996)
    The Billabong (1993)
    The Bud Surf Tour (1993)


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    • Reef McIntosh 

    Reef McIntosh

    resides: North Shore of Oahu
    rating: No. 470 WQS (2006)
    contest wins: 9th Monster Energy Pro presented by Billabong (2006)


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    • Tony Moniz 

    Tony Moniz

    rating: No. 38 WCT (1982)
    contest wins: 2nd Hard Rock Cafe World Cup (1987)
    3rd Billabong Pro (1985)


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    • Garrett McNamara 

    Garrett McNamara

    d.o.b: August 10, 1967
    resides: Waimea Bay, North Shore of Oahu
    weight:180 lbs
    height:5'10"
    stance:Regular
    rating: 139 ASP World Tour (1987)
    contest wins: The Haleiwa Tow Surfing (2006, 2005)


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    • Ross Williams 

    Ross Williams

    d.o.b: January 30, 1973
    resides: Haleiwa, Hawaii
    weight:168 lbs
    height:5'11"
    stance:Regular
    rating: No. 15 WCT (1999, 1997, 1995)
    contest wins: Nell Scott Tow Surfing Championship (2006)


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    • Dave Wassel 

    Dave Wassel

    rating: No. 322 WQS (1996)
    contest wins: 9th HIC Pipeline Pro (2001)


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    • Ian Walsh 

    Ian Walsh

    d.o.b: May 10, 1983
    resides: Maui, HI
    weight:160 lbs
    height:6'0"
    stance:Regular
    rating: No. 88 WQS (2005)
    contest wins: 3rd Excel Sunset WQS (2004)
    Excel Sunset WQS (2005)


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    • Braden Dias 

    Braden Dias

    d.o.b: January 31, 1975
    resides: Kalaheo, Kauai
    rating: No. 200 WQS (1998)
    contest wins: 5th Xcel Pro (2001)
    3rd HIC Pipeline Pro (2000)
    3rd Ceara Pro (1999)


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    • Myles Padaca 

    Myles Padaca

    d.o.b: March 3, 1971
    resides: Sunset Beach, Hawaii
    weight:175 lbs
    height:6'0"
    stance:Regular
    rating: No. 52 WQS (2000)
    contest wins: World Cup of Surfing, Sunset Beach (2000)


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    • Anthony Tashnick 

    Anthony Tashnick

    rating: No. 637 WQS (2001)
    contest wins: Mavericks Big Wave Event (2005)


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    • Kala Alexander 

    Kala Alexander

    d.o.b: March 20, 1969
    resides: Backyards
    weight:175 lbs
    height:5'10"
    stance:Regular
    rating: No. 758 WQS (2005)
    contest wins: 25th Rusty/Xcel Pro (2000)


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    • Keoni Watson 

    Keoni Watson

    rating: No. 133 WCT (1991)
    contest wins: 2nd Rusty Pro (1994)


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    • Derek Ho 

    Derek Ho

    d.o.b: September 26th, 1964
    resides: Pupukea, Hawaii
    weight:133 lbs
    height:5'5"
    stance:Goofy foot
    rating: No. 1 WCT (1993)
    contest wins: Two-time Pipemasters Champ
    Four-time Triple Crown Champ
    Marui Pro (1991)
    Chiemsee Pipe Masters (1993)
    Hard Rock Cafe World Cup (1990)


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    • Tom Curren 

    Tom Curren

    d.o.b: July 3, 1964
    stance:Regular
    rating: No. 1 WCT (1990, 1986, 1985)
    contest wins: Rip Curl Coca-Cola Classic (1990)
    Quiksilver Lacanau Pro (1990)
    Rip Curl Pro Landes (1989)
    Rip Curl Bell�s Classic (1984)
    Marui Pro (1982)


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    • Nathan Fletcher 

    Nathan

    d.o.b: June 6, 1975
    resides: San Clemente, California
    weight:165 lbs
    height:5'10"
    stance:Goofy foot
    rating: No. 367 WQS (1998)
    contest wins: No. 17 Gotcha Tahiti Pro (1999)
    No. 13 Coca-Cola Masters (1998)


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    • Danny Fuller 

    Danny Fuller

    rating: No. 272 WQS 2001
    contest wins: No. 7 HIC Pipeline Pro (2001)
    No. 9 Rusty/Xcel Pro (2000)


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    • Koby Abberton 

    Koby Abberton

    resides: Maroubra, NSW, Australia
    rating: No. 42 WQS (1999)
    contest wins: Gotcha Tahiti Pro (1998)


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    • Laurie Towner 

    Laurie Towner

    rating: No. 701 WQS (2006)
    contest wins: No. 81 Vodafone Open presented by Billabong (2006)


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    • Manoa Drollet 

    Manoa Drollet

    rating: No. 262 WQS (1998)
    contest wins: No. 3 Gotcha Tahiti Pro (1999)


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