John John Florence Wins Eddie Aikau Big-Wave Surfing Competition (Videos)
John John Florence just wrote his name into the surfing record books.
The surfing world was captivated Thursday as the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave competition took place for just the ninth time since 1984, and Florence came out as the winner with a score of 301.
Ross Clarke-Jones (278), Shane Dorian (270), Jamie Mitchell (249), and Kelly Slater (238) rounded out the top five.
Check out the highlights (and lowlights) from a wild but awesome day in Waimea Bay, Hawaii.
Congratulations @johnjohnflorenc, winner of the 31st annual @Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau!!! 🏆 🏆 🏆 https://t.co/CSQGUW5cjz
— World Surf League (@wsl) February 26, 2016
.@kellyslater gets a clean barrel at Waimea!!! What?! #legend #BrockSwell #EddieWouldGo https://t.co/KFxyqUsqGq https://t.co/CDJbdkvWnD
— World Surf League (@wsl) February 26, 2016
The Eddie is LIVE! Watch Round 2, Heat 1 #EddieWouldGo https://t.co/KFxyqUsqGq https://t.co/lTEdPqyU99
— World Surf League (@wsl) February 25, 2016
Unbelievable commitment. @MakuaRothman #EddieWouldGo LIVE: https://t.co/KFxyqUsqGq https://t.co/w15dOiootE
— World Surf League (@wsl) February 25, 2016
One of the worse wipeouts. @MakuaRothman @kaladacaptain #EddieWouldGo LIVE: https://t.co/KFxyqUaPOS https://t.co/uKfvUMpjqX
— World Surf League (@wsl) February 25, 2016
Run for cover! https://t.co/YcQH9j7gHX
— World Surf League (@wsl) February 25, 2016
Arguably the biggest highlight of the day, though, was seeing 66-year-old Clyde Aikau, Eddie’s brother, hit the waves. He was the only person to compete in all eight previous competitions entering Thursday, and he extended that record streak with a nice run of his own.
Clyde Aikau, classic Hawaiian style big wave surfing. #EddieWouldGo LIVE: https://t.co/KFxyqUsqGq https://t.co/beTY9feH9v
— World Surf League (@wsl) February 25, 2016
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@wsl
