Winter must be knocking on the door because the invitees for the Rip Curl EDDIE Big Wave Invitational have just been released. From previous winners like Landon McNamara, Luke Shepardson and John John Florence, to legends like Kelly Slater, Mark Healey and Justine Dupont, the field is stacked with 32 of the most accomplished big-wave surfers in the world.
Sadly, Eddie Aikau’s brother, Clyde, who won the event in 1986, passed away earlier in the year and this marks the first winter he will not be captaining the ship–or voyaging canoe, if you will. And while it’s impossible to fill the void the man left in his wake, members of the Eddie Aikau Foundation stepped up and put the official invite list together.
“The Eddie Aikau Foundation analyzed the results from the last two EDDIES that ran in 2023 and 2024. We incorporated additional selection criteria from that data. We conducted a lot of research into the history and experiences of the big wave surfers under consideration,” reads a statement issued to the press. “We have a mix of surfers from Hawaii, the mainland and international as well that we feel will represent the spirit and legacy of Eddie Aikau,” said Linda Ipsen, the President of the Eddie Aikau Foundation.”
Enjoying a ton of support from the surf industry, Rip Curl has stepped up as the event’s title sponsor. They’re joined by Olukai, Costa Sunglasses, Hawaiian Airlines, Patagonia, Kona Brewing and a host of other top-shelf supporters.
Related: Hawaiian Big Wave Icon Clyde Aikau Passes Away at 75
“We are grateful to be partnering with The Eddie Aikau Foundation for a second year to bring this iconic event to life,” said James Taylor, Rip Curl’s General Manager of Marketing. “Supporting events with rich history and cultural significance is core to Rip Curl’s DNA, and this could not be more true than with THE EDDIE.”
The opening ceremony will take place on December 5, 2025, at Waimea Bay Beach Park. After that, as they say, the Bay calls the day.
2025/26 Rip Curl EDDIE Big Wave Invitational Invitees
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Aaron Gold (HI-OAHU) |
Kai Lenny (HI-MAUI) |
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Annie Reickert (HI-MAUI) |
Kelly Slater (FLORIDA) |
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Bianca Valenti (CALIFORNIA) |
Landon McNamara (HI-OAHU) |
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Chad Keaulana (HI-OAHU) |
Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca (BRAZIL) |
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Eala Stewart (HI-OAHU) |
Luke Shepardson (HI-OAHU) |
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Eli Olson (HI-OAHU) |
Makua Rothman (HI-OAHU) |
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Emily Erickson (HI-OAHU) |
Mark Healey (HI-OAHU) |
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Ezekiel Lau (HI-OAHU) |
Mason Ho (HI-OAHU) |
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Grant “Twiggy” Baker (SOUTH AFRICA) |
Matahi Drollet (TAHITI) |
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Ha’a Aikau (HI-OAHU) |
Nathan Florence (HI-OAHU) |
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Jake Maki (HI-OAHU) |
Nic von Rupp (PORTUGAL) |
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Jamie Mitchell (AUS/HI) |
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUSTRALIA) |
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Jamie O’Brien (HI-OAHU) |
Russell Bierke (AUSTRALIA) |
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Joey Cadiz (HI-OAHU) |
Torrey Meister (HI-MAUI) |
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John John Florence (HI-OAHU) – 2016 |
Justine Dupont (FRANCE) |