How many of you saw this last night? I thought it was very well done. Sam George did a great job, as always. What did you guys think? For those that didn't catch it, here's a link for you, enjoy! http://espn.go.com/30for30/film?page=hawaiian-the-legend-of-eddieaikau
I thought it was really good. I didn't realize he was on the Hokulea (did I get that right?) and paddled from it, I thought he attempted to paddle to it. Anyway, watching it was an appropriate way to end a great day of waves.
I was walking down Mass Ave looking for a post-sesh bite to eat when I saw this playing on the tvs in a sushi bar... it was perfect
It was a great show. I did not know the entire story of Eddie until I watched it. I hope he was at peace during his last moments.
Had to work... but I really wanted to see it. My brother tivo'd for me so I'll probably catch it this weekend. I saw the surfline story about it and it looked really good. Another documentary I saw recently that was really, really good was the Bob Marley story. VH1 had been playing it and its also on Netflix. That's another story that I didn't realize there was so much more to. Not only of course was he a pioneer in his music, but he also was responsible for ending Jamaican turmoil, and brought his examples of peace to Africa. He united two political parties who were at war and had them hold hands on stage during his concert! He was huge across the globe including England and Europe before exploding in the US. If you'll haven't seen it I HIGHLY recommend it!
DVR'd it and watched after work. Some of those 30/30's are just all out epic (Jimmy V) but this one was very good. Learned a lot about the colonization of Hawaii and the plight of its native people. Hawaii seems like paradise but there are a ton of racial, social, and economic problems. Eddie was a pioneer and inspiring and courageous. I guess him and his wife split before they had and kids? Eddie would go!
Bout 10 years back I had a T-Shirt that said "Eddie Would Go" and it was funny because I had so many people ask me what the hell it meant. He was a real man.... even if he didn't like you he would still stand up for you and what was right.
That was a heavy show. Very well done. Imagine trying to paddle 12 miles to land for help. I don't like to think of what really happened to him out there. How odd that a tourist on a plane spotted the Hokuleau which resulted in their rescue....the same tourists that the show was railing against. It's a shame what happened to the native Hawaiians and the development of the islands, but their experience is not unique in the history of the world.
Interesting thought, I didn't think of that, the possibility that it very well may have been a tourist. I was going to post about how great this film was, so that fewer would miss out on it. It is so good. The first hand personal testimony from his brother to his companion on the Hokulea was awesome. His story was so much better than I knew. His taking up for the Australians that night was a very cool inside glimpse. Would love to make the trip to see The Eddie on day.
the Eddie is soooooo hard to see unless you spend the winter on oahu, they decide to run it like a day before it happens and it has to be, you know, like giant, and giant all day, not just a pulse in the morning or something
Yea, I always knew you'd have to have a month to kill. Got a brother and sis in law who spend about 4 months a year there. Haole wind surfers.......
Anyone know where I can watch this online? I am not a cable subscriber. A brief comment: The Eddie is a special tournament. I think the last time it was a go was in 2008. F'ing mindblowing what those guys do in Waimea. Andy was awesome in that one, even though he didn't place, he was a real crowd pleaser pulling in to closeouts and just going balls out. I didn't get one ounce of work done on the day they ran it last. So awesome. Best part is Clyde Aikau at 60+ years old charging it. That's a manly grandfather!
it was a great show.i been reading the eddie aikau book before the show came about,so it was like a bonus.0 people died at waimai under eddies watch.thats quite a feat when nj lifegaurds cant save someone in 3 foot surf.its sad he died trying to get help for the folks on the hookalele when he died and everyone that stayed survived.but u have to think about it,hawaii is already in the middle of the ocean,tahiti is in the middle of the ocean.it was a 29 day voyage by boat,nobody could possibly paddle through the mddle of the ocean for 29days straight on a board.he was a hero I have so much respect for guys like eddie,pat curren,greg noll,the pioneers of bigwave surfing.back then they didn't have leashes,didnt have rescue skis,didnt have inflatable wetsuits,u really had to be a waterman to paddle for 15minutes out to waimai,lose your board,swim in and go back out.nowadays guys pull up to the bigwaves on a boat,get a ride out to the lineup by ski,take a wipeout,pull their cord and whisked away by ski before the next set comes.i call that cheating,but its very helpful for keeping these guys alive.
I read a bit about Eddie, but never saw footage until the show. I was awestruck with Eddie's prowess and the pure soul he put into his surfing and his life. 500 rescues at the Bay? What a legacy!
I read his biography a few years back, and really enjoyed learning about the man. I didn't catch this last night, but will rent it on iTunes and watch in later this month on upcoming flight.
