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2024/25 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational Invitees Announced

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Oct 3, 2024 3:31 PM ET

“I can’t even begin to tell you how honored and how much of a dream come true this is!” Torrey Meister wrote online after learning he was one of 35 men invited to the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay for the 2024-25 winter.

“As a kid I would watch the Eddie on the sand at Waimea, seeing my heroes send it on the biggest mountains of water my eyes ever witnessed,” wrote the 36-year-old who now resides on Maui with Albee Layer. “I remember being terrified but at the same time daydreaming about someday competing in the Eddie and being out there with those guys. Being invited last year for the first time meant so much to me but this year means even more! The dream of putting on the jersey and surfing in the Eddie just seems to be getting closer….. Very excited for the opportunity and this winter!”

Torrey’s words capture a consistent theme each time the Eddie opportunity arises. While the names and faces change over the years, surfers remain honored, awestruck and excited for the chance to participate in arguably the most prestigious surf event in the world. This week the Eddie Aikau Foundation released the names of all 45 men and women invited to this year’s contest, which has a new flagship sponsor in Rip Curl. The event window opens December 14 and closes March 13, 2025.

There are a few of the regular legends, past winners, and some new faces, including 2024 Olympic Gold medalist Kauli Vaast and North Shore local Nathan Florence, who sat on the sidelines during the last event recovering from a broken back he sustained at Jaws.

The Eddie is held in honor of the late Hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau, who was the first lifeguard for the entire North Shore and saved over 500 people throughout his career. As is tradition, organizers say the event will only run in consistent 30-40-feet sets. The last event in 2023 (only the 10th contest since 1984) was the stuff storybooks and Disney movies were made of. It was the first time women competed in the event. And in pumping, all-time conditions Hawaiian lifeguard Luke Shepardson won the contest in dramatic fashion in between shifts at the Waimea tower. More than 2 million people streamed it online in over 195 counties, according to the foundation’s website.

Fingers crossed the swell arrives again this winter. Browse below for the full list of invites and alternates.

Men's Invitees


Aaron Gold	Billy Kemper	Bruce Irons (2004 WINNER)
Chad Keaulana	Eli Olson	Ezekiel Lau
Francisco Porcella	Greg Long (2009 WINNER)	Ian Walsh
Jake Maki	Jamie Mitchell	Jamie O'Brien
John John Florence (2016 WINNER)	Jojo Roper	Kai Lenny
Kauli Vaast	Keali‘I Mamala	Kelly Slater (2002 WINNER)
Koa Rothman	Kohl Christensen	Landon McNamara
Lucas Chianca	Luke Shepardson (2023 WINNER)	Makuakai Rothman
Mark Healey	Mason Ho	Matt Bromley
Ross Clarke-Jones (2001 WINNER)	Russell Bierke	Taio Shipman
Torrey Meister	Tyler Larronde	Peter Mel
Nathan Florence	Nic Lamb

2024/25 Men's Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau invite list.

Women's Invitees


Annie Starr Reichert	Bianca Valenti	Emily Erickson
Felicity Palmateer	Justine Duponte	Keala Kennelly
Laura Enever	Makani Adric	Moana Jones-Wong
Paige Alms

2024/25 Women's Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau invite list.

Men's Alternates

Ha‘a Aikau, Joey Cadiz, Eala Stewart, Ben Wilkinson, Grant "Twiggy" Baker, Koa Smith, Tiger Doerner, Michael Sanborn, Ivan Florence, Mikey O'Shaughnessy, Kala Grace, Barron Mamiya, Tom Lowe, Alonso Correa, Othmane Choufani, Natxo Gonzalez, Isamu Sumi, Cristian Merello, Manny Resano, Conor Maguire.