The Eddie ceremony is always a special occasion with everyone taking part be it spectating or participating. All images by Kelly Cestari
The half moon enables everyone to see each other.
Kelly Slater, Titus Kinimaka, Twiggy, Kala Alexander
Tom Carrol, 2000/2001 winner Ross Clarke Jones, 1989/1999 winner Keone Downing.
1986/1987 winner Clyde Aikau, brother of Eddie Aikau.
Darryl ‘Flea’ Virostko, 2007/2008 Free Fall poster boy.
Kala Alexander, Aikau family pick.
Brock Little, 1989/90 memorable crazy tube ride.
Rusty Keaulana, switchfoot master.
Peter Mel, Mavericks master.
2000/2001 winner Ross Clarke Jones.
Makuakai Rothman, 2003 XXL Big Wave Winner.
2004/2005 winner Bruce Irons, the last Eddie Champion.
Greg Long and Rusty Keaulana.
Our man, Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker.
Titus Kinimaka.
Twig is tight with the Wolf Pack.
Glasses off head bowed, respect.
2001/2002 winner Kelly Slater.
Everybody stands, hands are linked and special words are said.
That is the board of Eddie Aikau.
Boards are raised and measured, it’s not the size of your stick it’s how you ride it.
Photo op, guess who the most photographed surfer was.
Twiggy - “it is so overwhelming”.
Monster have added an extra award for commitment to the monster drop.
The coveted invitational plaques.
Danny Fuller.
Myles Padaca and Kahea Hart.
Kelly Slater was polite posing for photographs and talking to kids before dashing off into the shorebreak.
Strider Wasilewski pays his own silent homage.
Twig walks the walk with Greg Long.
Making his way through the crowd.
Last minute nerves are put aside.
And Twig enters the Waimea Bay for his 2nd consecutive year as an Eddie invitee.
A few were ridden during the paddle out.
If the event runs on the 7th 8th or 9th as predicted you couldn’t ask for a better viewing area.
That was the actual Hokule'a Eddie left to search for help to save his friends.
A contest with the magnitude of the Eddie has every angle covered.
Buttons Kaluhiokalani.
Shane Dorian.
Flea posed the question how much would you need to have been paid to take the drop for him.
Kind words were flowing in abundance.
Eddie Aikau.
If you don’t want to be filmed, leave or don’t show up on the 7th 8th or 9th.
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