On-Duty North Shore Lifeguard Wins The Eddie Aikau

Luke Shepardson prevails over 39 big-wave heavyweights at 29ft @ 19 seconds Waimea.

Editors note: this post will be updated as new info becomes available

Poetic. 

Luke Shepardson, a North Shore native and City Council lifeguard has taken out the 10th Eddie Aikau Invitational. Luke scored 89 out of a possible 90 points (total of three waves, each scored out of 30) to stop John Florence becoming the first ever 2x (and back-to-back) champion. 

Buoy readings this morning read 29ft at 19 secs, and saw the Waimea channel close out countless times throughout the day. Similar to the Backdoor Shooutout, there were too many incredible rides to count, and no shortage of spectacular wipeouts. 

Luke now joins previous winners, Denton Miyamura (1987), Clyde Aikau (1986), Keone Downing (1990), Noah Johnson (1999), Ross Clarke-Jones (2001), Kelly Slater (2002), Bruce Irons (2004), Greg Long (2009), John Florence (2016) on the prestigious list of Eddie Aikau winners.

To anyone who attended the event via car today, we wish you our sincere condolences.

Results 8th – Keali’i Mamala 7th – Landon Mcnamara 6th – Zeke Lau 5th – Kai Lenny 4th – Billy Kemper 3rd – Mark Healey 2nd – John Florence 1st – Luke Shepardson