The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational has come and gone, but the images of the walls of water being surfed live on.
The KONA Gallery and Photojournalism Center in San Clemente is presenting “The Big Picture Show,” which features images from the recent contest.
Four top surf photographers were in the water catching the action during the one day, invite-only event.
“I was watching the contest and when I found out these amazing photographers were in the water and I saw the images, I knew we had to do something with them,” said Scott Mc Kiernan, director of the KONA Gallery and the founder of the ZUMA Press photo agency.
The Eddie Big Wave Invitational is only held the years when waves consistently top 20 feet or more in Hawaii’s Waimea Bay between December and March. In January, it was won by an on-duty lifeguard, Luke Shepardson.
Eddie Aikau was also a local lifeguard, as well as a championship big wave surfer and waterman.
He was the first lifeguard for the North Shore of Oahu and it is said he saved more than 500 people throughout his career.
The San Clemente exhibit features images from four photographers at January’s contest: Christa Funk, John Hook, Keoki Saguibo and Mike Ito.
An opening reception will be held 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, and the show runs through June 30.
All profits from the sale of prints will benefit the Eddie Aikau Foundation.
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