On January 22, 2023 the 10th Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational ran in arguably the best & biggest conditions ever seen.
Of the 32 competitors, six of them rode our infamous gun shape, the Padillac throughout the event. Of those six, 3 placed in the top 4.
Scroll below for the invitees who opted for their Padillac when the bay called the day.
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JOHN JOHN FLORENCE
John rode his trusty 9'8" swallow tail Padillac all the way to 2nd place.
Photo by @artofoto.
MARK HEALEY
Mark, who helped in the development, testing, and naming of the Padillac rode a round tailed 10'4" and placed 3rd.
Photo by @scottsullivan.
BILLY KEMPER
Despite a knee injury, Billy took 4th place on his 10' round tail Padillac.
Photos by @traviskeahi.
LANDON MCNAMARA
Landon took 7th place riding his 10'4 Padillac in the deep waters of Waimea Bay.
Photo by @fabio808photo.
NIC VON RUPP
Nic Von Rupp flew back from Portugal to take on Waimea with his 10'4" swallow tail Padillac.
Photo by @badboyryry.
ELI OLSON
Eli paddled out & made some late, steep drops on his 10' swallow tail Padillac.
Photos by @traviskeahi.
KOA ROTHMAN
Koa rode his 9'0" Padillac in his first heat. The swell was increasing throughout the day so he swapped it out for his 9'6" in his second heat.
