Between the two of them, Ian Walsh and Mark Healey have nearly 80 years of ocean experience. Both men are in their early 40s, both come from islands exposed to the Pacific Ocean’s power, and most of their lives have been devoted to preparing for and riding the biggest waves they can find. Between their historic sessions at Jaws, Maverick’s, Cloudbreak, Cortes Bank and more, they have collected numerous accolades and too many stories to count.
Which makes the wipeouts both of them had on the same wave during the 2025 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational all the more impactful. It’s a reminder that, in the end, Mother Nature still makes the last call.
It all looked so good until it wasn’t. With the long interval northwest swell pulsing into Waimea Bay, many set waves got hollow and unmakeable in a hurry. Even Ian, an expert in sticking drops with air under his board, gets left hanging.
Mark put on a masterclass in big backside drops during the prior Eddie in 2023. He grew up at Waimea Bay and has been known to take the left on occasion (Don’t do it, folks). Unfortunately for Mark, this slam with Ian wasn’t the last freefall he took during last year’s contest, as he had another that blew out an eardrum.
Even legends sometimes take a spill.
Related: ‘Most Brutal Beating of My Life’: A Likely Shoe-in for Wipeout of the Year