The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau is unlike any other event in the world. To be considered for selection you must first be in the top 90 big-wave surfers in the world. If that wasn’t a feat in itself the list is then whittled down to 28 invitees and 24 alternates as voted by your peers. It’s one of the only events in the world that you don’t actually enter. You are hand picked and your selection is not only a reflection of not your proven ability in big surf but also how deserving you are to be included in the Eddie Aikau memorial event. Tracks asked Quiksilver’s Global Events Director and former professional surfer, Troy Brooks, to break down how to score a golden ticket into The Eddie.

Tracks: How is the list compiled and is it a secret ballot?

Brooks: There’s about 80 or 90 big-wave surfers in the world recognised by the WSL. Those surfers are made up of guys on the big-wave world tour along with the guys that surf Mavericks, Belharra or anywhere around the world. We actually send out a voting poll to all of those guys. The majority of them vote. A few of them don’t. Then the votes are tallied into who gets invited into the event. You can vote for alternates or you can vote for invitees.

Tracks: Do Quiksilver have any leeway should they want to nominate a surfer into the event just as they do for event wildcards at some CT events?

There are three international wildcards that go out over a spread of surfers. They are given to the highest non-Hawaiian based group.

Tracks: So do regional Quiksilver surfers fall on that list?

They also come from the vote [are on the list]. One for Asia/Pacific, one for America and Europe.

Tracks: Do surfers get only one vote to nominate a surfer into the event?

No, they vote for 28 surfers and also as many alternates as they think.

Tracks: Can surfers vote for themselves?

Yep.

Tracks: Who makes up the committee that compiles that list of 80 – 90 surfers? Is it Quiksilver, WSL Big-Wave Commissioner Peter Mel or the Aikau family?

Peter Mel is part of it. He’s integral in getting that list because he already does it for the WSL. He’s involved in the communication but as far as the list it is done by Quiksilver. The actual Aikau family – they get given the number one alternate spot to pick whomever they like. This year they chose Mason Ho. Mason has been there for three years [as an alternate] this will be his first time competing. Garrett [McNamara] is out due to plunging down the face of that wave at Mavs.

Tracks: Does it look like any of those other alternates may get a run this year? Ben Wilkinson and Koa Rothman are on that list.

I’m not sure at the moment. I haven’t got a final list to see if everyone is making it.

The interview ends then Brooks calls Tracks back two-minutes later to clarify the voting.

Brooks: It’s not necessary about who is the best big-wave surfer in the world it’s who deserves to be in the Eddie Aikau Memorial event. As in who the surfers vote who should be in that event – who deserves to get that invitation.

Tracks: It is the most prestigious big-wave event in the world so if you get an invite it’s a pretty special ticket.

For sure… It’s probably the most treasured event. I think it’s the only event in the world that you don’t actually enter. You’re picked. I remember when they chose John John and he was like, ‘Oh nah. [Laughs] People have to see what I can do now.’ He didn’t sign up for it, he didn’t want a wildcard the guys just said, ‘You’ve been charging The Bay, you’re a standout out there, you’re in.’ And that happened to Albee Layer this year too.

Read: Why The Eddie is scored differently to other events

Watch: Makua Rothman on competing in The Eddie

Read: How Tom Carroll and Ross Clarke-Jones are preparing for The Eddie

The 2015/2016 Eddie Invitees:

Aaron Gold, Albee Layer, Bruce Irons, Clyde Aikau, Dave Wassel, Garrett McNamara, Grant Baker, Greg Long, Ian Walsh, Jamie Mitchell, Jamie O’Brien, Jeremy Flores, John John Florence, Kala Alexander, Kelly Slater, Kohl Christensen, Makua Rothman, Mark Healey, Nathan Fletcher, Noah Johnson, Peter Mel, Ramon Navarro, Reef McIntosh, Ross Clarke-Jones, Shane Dorian, Sunny Garcia and Takayuki Wakita

Top five alternates:

Mason Ho, Danilo Couto, Mark Mathews, Koa Rothman and Ben Wilkinson.