And it just blew their minds, literally," said Michael Wilson, the museum's surfing exhibit designer. The water men of the west would never even attempt it. "There's these accounts where they're like people would do these death defying acts on these pieces of wood in waves that sailors were terrified of. MORE: Americans make their mark in Olympic surfing While films like "Point Break" and "Surfer, Dude" along with music like the Beach Boys' hit song "Surfin' USA" are examples of a modern portrayal of the sport that tie it more to California, drawings from Western explorers in the 1700s and 1800s show that surfing traces its roots back to ancient Hawaii, according to the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. I feel connected to my culture," Keaulana said. " our church, because that's where we spiritually can connect to something that was always there as native Hawaiians. Meanwhile, Darryl and Lynn Holmes to this day remember the period they spent with Eddie Aikau and his family as some of the greatest times in their lives.PHOTO: Hawaiian surfer Ha'a Keaulana is shown carrying a surfboard toward the water. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational event, which has been run nine times in epic waves, helps to ensure that Eddie’s legacy is never forgotten.
To this day Eddie Aikau is spoken of with profound love and respect and remains one of surfing’s most revered figures. The surfing community prayed for Eddie’s safe return, but sadly it never eventuated. When they reached Hawaii the Aikaus wanted Lynn and Daryl to stay in Eddie’s home while they all waited for news on Hawaii’s favourite son. Meanwhile, Lyn, who was in Australia, was on the first flight from Sydney to Hawaii to support the family when she heard the news from Eddie’s sister. After being made aware of Eddie’s situation, he immediately flew to Hawaii. Tragically he was never seen again.Īt the time Darryl was back in Africa shaping boards for Shaun Tomson. While everyone was floundering in the ocean on the upturned vessel, Eddie convinced the skipper to allow him to paddle for help. It’s well documented that the Hokule’a catamaran, which Eddie was a passenger on for the re-enactment voyage, capsized the first night in heavy seas. The words, which have helped immortalise Eddie Aikau. The trip cemented a connection with the Holmes and Aikau families that would last a lifetime.
Aikau only had a two-week visa, so with no time to waste the next morning, Darryl and Lyn, together with their two young daughters (Tracey and Jodi), invited him on an epic and memorable road trip to Jefferies Bay. Eddie and the Holmes family quickly formed a close bond and she threw him a big party after he and Daryl were knocked out of the contest. Lynn paid Eddie a visit at his hotel and invited him to stay with her family for the remainder of his time in Africa. Aikau was virtually friendless and was so confused as to where he could go and what he was allowed to do under the barbaric apartheid laws.įortunately, Eddie’s Durban blues were short-lived because of Lynn Holmes, who was yet to meet him but had heard of his predicament. After he’d surf in his heat he would just disappear back to his hotel. However, Eddie was isolated, a long way from home, and felt his teammates had in some way deserted him. So Ernie Tomson, the organiser of the contest, arranged Eddie Aikau a hotel that would take him in.
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