Eddie Would Go

With waves of up to 50ft heading for Hawaii, surfing conditions have been deemed good enough for the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau. This is a surfing contest that only takes place when the waves at Waimea Bay remain at a sustained 20ft-plus (measured Hawaiian-style from the back of the wave, or 40ft from crest to trough.) It was last held in 2004. See Andy Martin's piece in the Independent.

Since the event was founded 25 years ago- in honour Eddie Aikau, a Hawaiian lifeguard who disappeared in 1978 while trying to rescue passengers on a capsized canoe - it has been held only seven times. Eddie Would Go tells the story.