December 22, 2024, Haleiwa, Oahu, USA: History was made today as Salt + Air Studios launched their groundbreaking ocean sports live-streaming channel, Rogue.TV, with the most-watched surf event ever recorded. L. McNamara claimed victory at the legendary Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, solidifying an unforgettable debut for this exciting new venture. McNamara’s makes it the third time in a row that an Oahu North Shore surfer has won, named after the original North Shore lifeguard Eddie Aikau. Another North Shore lifeguard, L. Shepardson won in 2023. North Shore legend J. J. Florence won in 2016. 45 surfers, 35 men and 10 women were invited to compete. Waves got as big as 50 feet producing epic rides and wipeouts. More than 20,000 spectators showed up at Waimea Bay and over a record million live for the world’s most prestigious big-wave competition on the waves that exceeded the height of three-story buildings. Two of 45 Big wave surfers in The ‘Super Bowl of Surfing’, Paris Olympics Gold Medalist on left, Tahitian KAULI VAAST, 22, wiping out and on right charging down the face Hawaiian JAKE MAKI, 20. (Credit Image: © Laurel Smith/ZUMA Press Wire)
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
ZUMAland.com 