The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is on a yellow alert meaning the prestigious surfing event is on standby till possibly next week Friday.
It’s not just the size they’re watching but the winds and the timing.
The official holding period for this year is December 14 through March 12.
Wave faces must consistently reach 40-feet for the contest to go. Last year was only the 10th time its run since beginning in 1984.
The prestigious contest invites surfers, alternates, and legends to showcase their high-performance surfing at Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu.
Last January, North Shore lifeguard Luke Shepardson beat out reigning champ John John Florence in front of nearly 50,000 spectators at Waimea Bay and over 2 million fans around the world. He secured an overall score of 90.
Laura Enever, who surfed for seven seasons on the WSL championship tour, is now making waves in the world of big wave surfing.
Laura Enever, who surfed for seven seasons on the WSL championship tour, is now making waves in the world of big wave surfing.
Australian surfer Laura Enever has made history by officially breaking the world record for the largest wave ever paddled into by a woman. The 31-year-old surfed a monstrous 13.3-meter (43.6-foot) wave at Outer Reef on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, earlier this year. The wave, which was measured and verified by the World Surf League and Guinness World Records, dwarfed the previous record of 12.2 metres set by Andrea Moller in 2016.
According to Guinness World Records, for pro-athletes like Laura, who have dedicated their lives to the world of watersports, riding to such heights can be life-changing. Many wait all their lives for the chance to meet the wave; some of them, as is the case of Laura, are destined to make history.
Laura Enever expressed her pride in surpassing Andrea Moller's record and her commitment to pushing the boundaries of big-wave surfing.
"And I know that the next girls, the next generation of female big wave surfers, are going to do the same," Laura told GWR.
"I would never be in this position if it weren't for all the big wave surfers who have come before me and paved the way, especially the really brave, courageous females who have always inspired me and made me feel like I could get out there and give it a crack," Laura declared to the WSL.
Previous World Record and Current World Records
Largest Wave Surfed (Paddle) – Female
[New]: Laura Enever, 43.6 feet, “Outer Reef,” Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi on Jan. 22, 2023
[Previous]: Andrea Moller, 42 feet, Peʻahi, Maui, Hawaiʻi in January 2016
Largest Wave Surfed (Paddle) – Male: Aaron Gold, 63 feet, Peʻahi, Maui, Hawaiʻi on Jan. 15, 2016
Largest Wave Surfed (Unlimited) – Male: Sebastian Steudtner, 86 feet, Nazaré,Portugal on Oct. 29, 2020
Largest Wave Surfed (Unlimited) – Female: Maya Gabeira, 73.5 feet, Nazaré, Portugal on Feb. 11, 2020
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