Big Wave Surfing

Big Wave typically is going to range from double overhead to about 35 ft faces. After this you get into Tow-In Surfing which is still Big Wave but typically classified differently since you need a ski to tow in.

Big Wave is what it is today because of people like Eddie Aikau and Laird Hamilton. Eddie Aikau began charging into bigger and bigger waves that paved the way for the likes of Hamilton to innovate tow-in surfing and big wave surfing.

Unfortunately for Aikau and the surfing community he was lost at sea when he went to find help paddling on his surfboard from his wrecked Polynesian boat. While everyone else was saved, Aikau lost his life in his brave act of attempting to help save the others.

Quiksilver still holds an annual Eddie Aikau Memorial Surfing Contest at Waimea Bay in the North Shore of Oahu when the waves are large enough to give justive to Aikau’s legend.

Laird was born in San Francisco but raised on Oahu, prime big wave at its best. Laird was born with a passion and the guts needed to ride these monster water creations. Laird has probably made the largest single contribution to the sport of big wave through his exploits and the creation of Tow-In Surfing.

Big Wave is only possible because of the huge boards we call guns. These boards are going to be over 9 feet long and are very long and slender. This allows you to paddle up to speed to catch up with these behemoth waves. It is truly breathtaking and humbling to see someone charging one of these beasts for yourself.

Head to Jaws or Waimea and experience this for yourself and be sure to send pics.

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