Hawaii’s John John Florence has won the 9th Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau event in 45 to 55 foot conditions. Florence took the lead from Australia’s Ross Clarke-Jones late in round 2 after hanging on for the win by a margin of 23-points.
Up to 20,000 people lined the beach and spread up into Waimea Valley watching the best big-wave surfers in the world make history as huge waves detonated occasionally closing out the bay.
“Februrary 25, 2016 will go down in history as one of the best in the events 40-year history,” said Hawaiian Fred Patacchia who provided plenty of colour in the commentary booth throughout the day.
After the passing of Brock Little last week many were calling today “Brock’s swell”. It didn’t disappoint. It was a day that both honoured the Aikau spirit and the legend of Brock Little.
It was the first time the event had run since 2009, the ninth in its 31-year history. For Clyde Aikau, younger brother of Eddie, this was to be his last event and he made it one to remember. “ Clyde’s on mission from god,” said Kelly Slater adding, “on a mission from Eddie, fear doesn’t play into it.” At 66-years old he certainly wasn’t showing any signs of holding back.
Kelly was also in a league of his own quickly amassing a highlight reel from the day. He was the only surfer to snag a barrel in the entire event dedicating the wave to his good friend, the late Brock Little. “I just wanted to get a barrel for Brock,” said Kelly fighting back tears after his heat. “I miss Brock so much. He was such an influence on my life and a good friend. He was the kind of guy that challenged you to be your best and cut the bullshit out. There’s no one else like Brock.”
We need to mention the wipeouts. The abuse at the hands of Waimea was harsh. No one felt the sting in her tail more than Grant “Twiggy” Baker. The South African air dropped on a 50-footer and looked like rocket-man without a shoot. Then there was a hideous collision involving Hawaiian Kala Alexander and Makua Rothman, the pair tumbling over the falls and coming up tangled and visibly shook up. Mason Ho showed that he wasn’t afraid to charge. The Hawaiian skidding down the face at Mach 10 speed after scratching into a bomb. Jamie O’Brien also stood out with more than one late drops hanging on until the bitter end. Let’s not forget Brazil’s Daniel Couto who went coo coo brain and stuffed himself in a battle axe lip that came down with the weight of the Pacific Ocean.
Shane Dorian led the field after completing his two rounds with a total of 270 points from his two rounds of competition before Australian and former event winner Ross Clarke-Jones scored the wave of the day earning a score of 96 out of 100. Taking off from way behind the boil RCJ showed his 30-years of experience in Hawaii riding a 40-footer with pure style. He backed it up with a 44-point ride, snatching the lead from Dorian and looked on track to win the event.
But then there was John John Florence. The Hawaiian stuck vertical drops, drew critical lines and escaped disastrous wipeouts displaying his trademark slouch-stance ease in the life-threatening conditions. Florence scooped an 89-point ride early in the heat and needed 65-points to take the lead from RCJ. With ten minutes to go he swung into a bomb, holding on for dear life as he tried to outrun an avalanche to lock in a big score. He did and now his name has been written into history.
“It’s super tiring out there,” John said after his winning heat. “It’s big and gnarly. It’s amazing to be apart of this event. Surfing Waimea with six guys and my hero’s that I grew up watching since I was a little kid is incredible. And surfing a heat with my best friends, Mase and Koa is something we’ve dreamed about since we were young. It’s one of the most special moments of my life. The event’s only ran a few times in my whole life and for me to be apart of it is amazing. I’m just overwhelmed with adrenaline from the whole day.”
Before the event Ross Williams told Tracks that John John was easily in his top three of big wave surfers in the world. Explaing, “John John because he surfs big waves like he surfs Pipe. He performs.” None would argue with that and we now wonder despite never winning a Pipe Masters or a world title is John John the most complete surfer in the world? Today he becomes the youngest competitor to ever win The Eddie – the first he has ever competed in. Right now he is the best surfer in the world.
