The energy on the North Shore of Oahu is basically electric right now, but if you're looking for a name to crown as the winner of the Eddie today, January 17, 2026, there is one thing you need to know first. The Eddie did not run today. Waves didn't hit the "Go" height.
Honestly, the "Eddie Would Go" mantra is legendary, but the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is famous for one thing above all else: it almost never happens. To trigger the start of the event at Waimea Bay, the waves have to consistently reach 20 feet by the Hawaiian scale, which translates to 40-foot faces. Today, the bay just didn't provide that specific kind of magic.
Instead of a surf contest, the community gathered for a massive "Meet & Greet" at Ka Makana Aliʻi. While Landon McNamara remains the reigning champion from the last time the event actually ran in December 2024, the 2025-2026 trophy is still very much up for grabs.
Who Won the Eddie Today? Understanding the 2026 Standings
Since the event didn't run this morning, the short answer to "who won the Eddie today" is: nobody yet.
The current waiting period for the 2025-2026 season opened on December 7 and runs all the way through March 6, 2026. This means we are right in the thick of the "Yellow Light" phase. Every morning, the Eddie Aikau Foundation and contest directors like Liam McNamara look at the buoys. If the swell isn't massive and clean, they wait.
They’ve only held this contest 11 times in 40 years. That’s wild.
Think about that for a second. In four decades, the conditions have only been "perfect" eleven times. It’s why winning this thing is considered more prestigious than almost any other title in professional surfing. It’s not about points or a tour ranking; it’s about surviving the most violent water on the planet on the one day the ocean decides to show off.
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The Reigning Champion: Landon McNamara
If you are seeing headlines about a winner, they are likely referring to the most recent champion, Landon McNamara. He took the win in December 2024 during a day that people are still talking about in the lineup at Pipeline and Sunset.
Landon made history for two big reasons:
- He was the first ever goofy-footer (right foot forward) to win the event.
- He scored a perfect 50 out of 50 on a single wave.
Watching that ride was surreal. He knifed into a drop that looked like a vertical cliff and somehow stayed on his feet while the entire North Pacific seemed to collapse behind him. He walked away with $50,000 and enough airline miles to fly around the world ten times over.
Why the Eddie Didn't Go on January 17
You might be wondering why everyone was hyped for today specifically. There was a solid swell hitting the islands, and the Eddie Aikau Foundation had a major event scheduled.
But there’s a massive difference between "big surf" and "Eddie surf."
Waimea Bay is a fickle beast. Sometimes the swell is too north, and it bypasses the bay entirely. Other times, the wind is "onshore," which turns the waves into a messy, dangerous soup that isn't rideable for a competition. For the 2026 event to get the "Green Light," the stars have to align perfectly.
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Instead of the contest, today featured a massive meet-and-greet where fans got to rub shoulders with legends like John John Florence, Kelly Slater, and Luke Shepardson. Luke, by the way, is the guy who won in 2023 while he was literally on shift as a North Shore lifeguard. He would surf his heat, then go back to the tower to make sure nobody drowned. You can't make this stuff up.
The 2026 Invite List: Who to Watch
When the swell finally does hit 40 feet later this season, the talent pool is deeper than it’s ever been. The 2025-2026 invite list includes:
- The Legends: Kelly Slater and John John Florence.
- The Specialists: Kai Lenny and Billy Kemper (who is basically the king of Jaws on Maui).
- The Women: For only the second time, women are fully integrated into the main invitee list, including powerhouses like Justine Dupont and Paige Alms.
- The Dark Horses: Keep an eye on Mason Ho. He treats 40-foot Waimea like it's a 2-foot shorebreak at a beach park. It's terrifying and beautiful to watch.
What Happens if the Bay Calls the Day?
If the contest directors see a "Purple Blob" on the weather charts heading toward Hawaii, they will issue a Yellow Alert. This usually happens 48 to 72 hours out. It’s the signal for surfers in Portugal, Australia, and Brazil to hop on a plane immediately.
If the swell holds its shape, the "Green Light" is called.
The contest format is unique. There are no "knockout" rounds. Instead, every surfer gets two rounds to catch their best waves. Your top three waves are totaled for your final score. This encourages the athletes to go for the biggest, most technical drops rather than playing it safe to "win a heat."
It’s pure, raw big-wave surfing. No jerseys (well, they wear them, but they aren't for points in the traditional sense), no corporate fluff—just the Bay and the legacy of a man who gave his life to save others.
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How to Track the Eddie Results in 2026
Since you’re looking for who won today, you're clearly ready for the action. The best way to stay updated is to follow the Eddie Aikau Foundation directly or check the surf cams at Waimea Bay.
Usually, the call is made at first light—around 7:00 AM HST.
If the 2026 event is called "ON," the winner will be crowned by sunset that same day. We are looking at a very active winter season, so the odds of the event running before the March 6 deadline are actually higher than usual this year.
Next Steps for Surf Fans:
- Check the Buoys: Keep an eye on the Northwest swells. If you see anything over 15 feet at 17 seconds on the Hanalei buoy, start getting your snacks ready.
- Watch the Replays: Go back and watch Landon McNamara’s 2024 winning wave. It’ll give you a sense of what the judges are looking for in 2026.
- Respect the History: Remember that this isn't just a contest; it's a memorial for Eddie Aikau, the legendary Hokule'a crew member and lifeguard.
The Bay hasn't called the day yet, but when it does, the world will be watching. Until then, Landon McNamara remains the man at the top of the mountain.