Jamie Mitchell, alongside Ross Clarke-Jones and Tom Carroll, is one of only three Australians with an official invite into the 2015 Quiksilver In Memory Of Eddie Aikau. The invite is a reflection of the sheer number of seasons Jamie has put in on the North Shore over the last decade, as well as his big wave performances in waves like Jaws, Mavericks, Belharra and Cloudbreak in the last few years. Tracks asked Jamie to come up with five magic moments from the history of the Eddie that mean the most to him personally.
1. Clyde Aikau winning the 1986 Eddie
I think that Clyde being Eddie’s brother and what it would of meant to him and the Aikau family and all Hawaiian’s made it a pretty special moment.
Clyde Aikau, brother of Eddie Aikua doing the family name proud. Photo: Joli
2.
Brock Little’s Huge wave to wipeout on a 25 footer in the 1990 Eddie
I think 1990 saw the biggest waves ever for an Eddie’s and to see a young kid like Brock charging so hard was incredible. I remember getting the 1990 Eddie video on VHS for Christmas and couldn’t stop watching it. It made me amp up so hard to ride big waves.
3. Brock Little’s Tube Ride Attempt in the 1990 Eddie.
Again seeing this wave and seeing the line he drew to pull in and basically make it on the same day as that huge wipeout was an incredible feat. Brock was charging like a mad man.
A young Brock Little charging hard at Waimea. Photo: Scott Wiener
4. Ross Clarke Jones 4. WInning in 2000/2001
Ross had put so much time, love and energy into winning the Eddie and to see his dream come true… Well I love it when hard work pays off and being a Aussie and the first Australian to win that was a really cool moment for me.
Ross Clarke Jones, another Aussie that has put in the time at Waimea. Photo: Joli
5.
Bruce Irons Wave to Closeout Tube ride on way to winning in 2004/2005.
I think Bruce had paddled out before the contest and broke his board maybe before he even got a few waves. Then I think he borrowed that yellow board of Makua’s which he rode all day to win. And that wave to top it off putting his hand in the air and pulling into the shorebreak. Well that’s something you never forget and what makes the Eddie so special.
