Luke Shepardson rides a wave during The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay on Jan. 22, on Oahu’s North Shore, in Hawaii. (Jamm Aquino – Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
Santa Cruz surfing legend Peter Mel, who turns 55 on Nov. 24, was among those honored Wednesday with invitations to compete in the 2024-25 The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, held at Waimea Bay, on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii.
The contest window for the heralded event — named in honor of the native Hawaiian big wave surf champion and life-saving lifeguard– opens Dec. 14 and runs through March 13…