A local lifeguard in Hawaii was the surprise winner of the prestigious Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational -- dubbed the 'Super Bowl of surfing' -- after beating off competition from some of the sport's biggest names.
A local lifeguard in Hawaii was the surprise winner of the prestigious Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational – dubbed the “Super Bowl of surfing” – after beating off competition from some of the sport’s biggest names. Luke Shepardson took approved breaks from his lifeguarding duty at Waimea Bay to compete in the event – affectionately known as the Eddie – and finished with a near-perfect score of 89.1 points, ahead of defending champion John John Florence in second.
It seemed fitting, then, that this year’s champion was also a local lifeguard. When he was announced as the winner, Shepardson was hoisted onto the shoulders of his fellow competitors, doused in beer, and mobbed by spectators eager to get a photo. He won $10,000 for taking first place with scores of 30.0, 30.0, and 29.1 across his three best waves, just shy of a perfect score of 90 points. Florence finished with 84.2 points ahead of Mark Healey in third and Billy Kemper in fourth.
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