Meet The North Shore Lifeguard Who Won The Eddie Aikau On His Work Break | Luke Shepardson

On January 22, 2023 we saw The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational run at Waimea Bay.
The event drew a live audience of over 50k people and the TH-cam stream alone clocked 1.7 million views. This year, with less sponsorship than past years, the comp was more stripped back. Grassroots. Core. And while all the heavy hitters who could stomach the size showed up, that it was won by an unassuming on-duty lifeguard (do we need to remind you of Eddie’s profession?) proved to be an irresistible narrative for…well, pretty much every media outlet in existence.

[@James-nc2zx]

Stoked to see a Hawaiian Waimea lifeguard win the Eddie. Again

[@EdwinLap]

Humble Guy, Exceptional Waterman, Family First - respect

[@HoStevie]

Luke is a legend! Great to see a lifeguard get some recognition 🔥

[@daxgansz3939]

Yeah Luke you are the people's champ!

[@andrewcannon8552]

Luke is a genuinely good dude! Humble and treats everyone with aloha. 🤙🏼

[@tank_evans_and_ladies]

Crazy that North Shore Lifeguards didn't get Luke some time off to participate in an event that does a great job of exhibiting the courage of North Shore Lifeguards.

[@johndevine8605]

Maybe he's such a good guy he really didn't push back when they said they needed him that day. But I agree w your comment 100%. Feel like if he pressed them someone would have covered for em.

[@FreeEditsForYou]

Its the town. The town needs to give lifeguards/rescue teams more money. They help tourists all year, the least the city could do it provide them with proper funding so they are not stretched thin. Maybe they will in the future

[@NickP-6164]

I agree, but I also feel like it makes the win that much better. He got his chance and took it. It was meant to be.

[@jackhanson5589]

In my book, each and every one of you are all a bunch of heroes in the most honorable, prestigious contest on the planet. Eddie would go!!!

[@goddamaddog]

shout outs to the aikau family, shout out to luke 🤙🤙🤙🤙

[@gustavlokotsch3298]

In South Africa the lifesaving motto “for vigilance and service” Luke from all the safa lifeguards… respect brother great respect 🫡🔥🥹

[@marshallgreen4697]

hero blood and soul. go Luke!

[@boosysurfs2bfree]

Respect! 🫡

[@redondorocket7733]

Awesome! Way to go, Luke!

[@karlbealing]

My son said he wants to be that lifeguard when he gets big.

[@jerrybow8779]

Tell him to stay in school😂 lifeguarding don’t pay much

[@steinsoz]

Legend.

[@garypalmer5441]

Respect true Watermen

[@hoopgal3216]

Public servants typically do not get the pay or prestige they deserve. Happy for his win ❤

[@kirthgersen2485]

Im a retired teacher, tru dat, lol. Only when I see former students do I realize all the good Ive done.

[@aidanmouellic5919]

Pedro Pascal needs to play him in the biopic.

[@cjmustang1007]

😂 I came looking for this comment.

[@minxlabrada]

Pro surfer now in the best ways.

[@daxgansz3939]

Nice work! 🤙

[@hman7236]

Shot out to the Champ 🤙🤙

[@Toubabou]

Is he the ultimate underground legend?

[@rodrigopolonidasilva_surf]

Life champ

[@cjmustang1007]

Cool...I didn't know the mandalorian was a surfer and lifeguard 😁.

[@garychavez8794]

❤

[@ペケ-s5t]

👍👍👍❤️

[@bellabates4512]

What year was this?

[@lukepedersen9681]

It wasn’t easy but I did it

[@ianmullin6227]

I remember the song that was playing the first time I had sex, the choir sang it so well.

[@jumboclat]

😂