By afternoon, all concerned were stunned that 79-year-old contest director and big wave icon George Downing had kept his cool so well and timed it perfectly for a second peak in swell energy. The call to wait for today and the ensuing result was mind-boggling, especially since many were questioning not running yesterday in 40-foot surf. He also posted several solid scores, but a wipeout like his is as unforgettable as a win. Navarro's buddy Christensen can lay claim to the most devastating wipeout of the day that remains burned in every mind here today. Fourth was defending Eddie champion Bruce Irons (Kauai), $3,000. Third was Hawaii's Sunny Garcia, earning $3,000. All Slater could do was look on in as much disbelief as the frenzied crowd who were at that point ready to celebrate with anyone. Long turned the tables on him in the final hour of competition. Nine-time world champion Kelly Slater (Florida, USA), who won here back in January of 2002, placed second after leading the score board from the first second heat of the day. I appreciate everything from these guys." "I want to say thank you to Kohl Christensen, Dusty Middleton and all the crew because those are the guys that invited me here and taught me how to surf The Bay. It was a great result for someone who almost didn't surf today after his pregnant wife was accidentally injured on the beach. Navarro won $10,000 for the Monster Drop Award, and $2,000 for fifth place. He baked empanadas and sold them to pay his rent and learn the ropes. Navarro first came in 2004 to surf Waimea with an invitation from good friend and fellow contestant today, Kohl Christensen. ![]() Navarro's winning wave was one of the last of the competition a huge, seemingly endless drop on his backhand, followed by a detonation of whitewater that he emerged from and then stuck with all the way to the beach. This is his first time as an invitee into the event. The Monster Drop Award, for the most hellacious-but-successful takeoff of the contest, went to Chile's Ramon Navarro, who also finished fifth overall. The respect and camaraderie in the lineup you don't find in too many places in the world, and this event really encapsulates everything that's great about surfing: the friendships you make in the water and looking out for one another." It's what we do: go out there and ride big waves. "It really is about the wave and celebrating the ocean. "I'm still standing here in awe and I want to go check the scores to make sure someone isn't going to come here and take this away. I never would have thought that this is my first year surfing the event and to come away with a victory is really a childhood dream become real. I look to those guys for inspiration and to be standing up here with Sunny (Garcia) and Kelly Slater is a dream come true for me. Since then, I've had every single poster from Brock Little to Bruce Irons on my wall. Riding big waves is my passion and I've been following The Eddie since I knew exactly what it was, I was probably 12-years-old just getting into surfing. "I'm so happy just to be here, invited into the biggest event of big waves in the world with all my heroes, I'm so excited," said Long. It was the high point of his career to-date - pretty incredible given that he only rode Waimea for the first time this week. Long committed to an unbelievable never-say-die attack, securing all four of his top scores - several of them death-defying and one of them a perfect 100-point ride, in macking 40- to 50-foot waves. When all was said and done, it was California's Greg Long, 26, (San Clemente) who made a late charge in the final heat of the day to claim the $55,000 winner's purse. With younger brother Clyde still in the lineup, at age 60, joined by the contemporary top guns of big wave riding, a packed arena celebrated every gutsy ride in brilliant sunshine befitting of a tribute to local hero Eddie Aikau. It was 25 years to the day since the first "Eddie" was held and waves of up to 50 feet poured in to Oahu's North Shore as if on cue. ![]() 8, 2009 - After 25 years with most of those spent waiting, Waimea Bay delivered an event of legendary proportions today at the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, Fueled by Monster Energy.
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