{"id":7269,"date":"2018-04-20T15:19:23","date_gmt":"2018-04-20T15:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/atlantiksurf.com\/en\/?p=7269"},"modified":"2018-04-20T15:37:00","modified_gmt":"2018-04-20T15:37:00","slug":"eddie-aikau-a-surfers-lifeguard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atlantiksurf.com\/en\/eddie-aikau-a-surfers-lifeguard\/","title":{"rendered":"Eddie Aikau: A surfer’s Lifeguard"},"content":{"rendered":"

The mysterious death<\/strong> of lifeguard and surfer Eddie Aikau<\/strong> 40 years ago is something that many surfers keep talking about today. Born in Hawaii<\/strong> in 1946, Aikau was a well-known surfer and perhaps the best lifeguard in the whole history<\/strong>, as he got in the water to save surfers in harsh and dangerous conditions, saving the life of many people back in the 1960s and 70s.<\/p>\n

Eddie Aikau was the First Lifeguard at Waimea Bay, Oahu<\/strong>, and many authors coincide in the fact that he saved more than 500 people, but not only that, he was a Big Wave Surfer and competitor, winning several tournaments as the 1977 Duke Kahanamoku<\/strong><\/em> invitational Surfing Championship.<\/p>\n

He was a Heroe and he died as a Heroe. In 1978, a 30 day journey to follow the ancient route of the Polynesian migration between Tahitian and Hawaiian island chains organized by the Polynesian Voyaging Society ended up in a disaster… Apparently, the canoe capsized 12 miles away from the island of Moloka’i. Aikau offered to get his surfboard and paddle in for Help, towards the island of Lana’i. He allegedly removed his lifejacket while paddling because it was a nuisance. He was never found again<\/strong>, although the entire crew was rescued ! The search for respected and loved Eddie Aikau was the largest air-sea search in Hawaii in History. Please take a look at his video below and become the next Aikau by learning surf<\/a>.:<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n