HONOLULU (KHON2) -- If "The Eddie" goes during the next winter swell, it will "go" with a new sponsor.
On Monday, Rip Curl announced its partnership with the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational.
The event is held at Waimea Bay and honors the legacy of the great Hawaiian waterman, Eddie Aikau.
It is an incredible honor for Rip Curl to be a partner of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. With our 55-year history of championing surfing events around the world, it is with great respect that we place our name alongside of Eddie Aikau, celebrating an incredible legacy and, supporting an event that means so much to the surfing community.
Brooke Farris, Rip Curl CEO
The Eddie made its first run in 1984 and can only be called upon after "a full day of consistent 25-foot surf."
As a result of only running in the heaviest Hawaiian conditions, The Eddie has only run ten times in 40 years.
"We believe that the Rip Curl staff and executives understand the importance of our mission to perpetuate the legacy of Eddie Aikau and Hawaiian culture," said President of the Eddie Aikau Foundation, Linda Ipsen.
The Aikau family selects and invites 40 surfers and 23 alternates for the event. The last time the event was run, North Shore lifeguard Luke Shepardson took home the win while he was on the clock.
Sheparson went on to win the contest in front of 50,000 beachgoers and 3.5 million online fans.
“The Eddie honors the remarkable character and values displayed by Eddie Aikau during his career as a heroic lifeguard, Big Wave surfer and crew member of the Hawaiian voyaging canoe, Hokule’a," Ipsen added. "Our partnership with Rip Curl, an international organization, will give us the opportunity to share the Aloha Spirit that Eddie Aikau exemplified, with a worldwide audience."
The holding period for the event will begin Dec. 14. If it runs, it will air live on KHII.