Bruce Irons taking the drop at the last Eddie. Photo: Brian Bielman via Quiksilver.

A series of large swells have set their sights on the Hawaiian island of Oahu's North Shore, and as usual from Haleiwa Joe's, to Foodland, to Ted's Bakery, to Lei Lei's, and everywhere in between on the historic coast, one name is starting to be uttered, as it usually does when large swells are forecast this time of year, and that name is "Eddie." As in Eddie Aikau, and the big-wave contest that is a tribute to the life of a legend. And the motto you'll see everywhere on the island, "EDDIE WOULD GO."

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surfing contest is the most prestigious contest in its genre, and possibly surfing as a whole. For it to even run the waves have to exceed the 20ft. threshold, and that's the Hawaiian style of measuring a wave (from the back). If you were at the top of a wave like that, and about to drop-in, you can just about double that measurement, and that's how far from the wave's bottom you are. To insure the contest meets the wave size requirements, there is a waiting period from December 1 to February 28, and if the waves do not get big enough, the contest does not happen that year. As a big-wave surfer just getting invited as an alternate means you've accomplished something, and if you're in it, you're a legend.

Eddie Aikau was not just revered for his surfing at the place this contest goes down, Waimea Bay, he was also a lifeguarding legend at the notoriously dangerous bay, saving countless lives. He truly was a hero, and died trying to save more lives. As part of the crew of the Hokule'a, a replica of a traditional double-hulled voyaging canoe, Eddie and crew were attempting to travel the ancient migration route between Hawaii and Tahiti, when the boat sprung a leak. Like a true hero, Eddie attempted to swim for help. He was never seen again.

That was 1977, and since The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau's inception in 1985, it has only been run 7 times. That's another thing that makes this contest so legendary, it doesn't happen every year. Names like: Aikau (Eddie's brother Clyde), Downing and Slater have all sat atop the standings at the end of the day. The last time the contest was run was in 2004, and on that day "Bruce Went," a slogan coined by the winner Bruce Irons, and his clothing sponsor, Volcom.

The opening ceremonies are being held as this is being typed, on Thursday December 3 at Waimea Bay Beach Park. Even the ceremony goes big. It's a whole day of activities complete with: food, music, Hawaiian traditions and good times. The day climaxes during the memorial paddle out for the man himself, Eddie. Every invitee of the contest, the Da Hui surf club and anyone else who feels they belong, paddles out and they form a human circle where the wave breaks. Words are spoken and Eddie is remembered. Stay tuned because this year THE EDDIE MIGHT GO. For more on the Eddie click here