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Eddie was a true Hawaiian waterman, the first official lifeguard at Waimea Bay who saved over 500 lives. His legend is built on his fearless charging of massive waves and his unwavering spirit. The famous saying, “Eddie would go,“ came from his willingness to paddle out when no one else dared. He tragically disappeared during the voyage of the Hokulea in 1978, but his legacy lives on as the ultimate symbol of courage, skill, and aloha in big wave surfing.

Dude, it’s the combo of pure commitment and style. He doesn’t just launch; he floats. John John finds sections other surfers don’t even see, using his deep rail game to generate insane speed into the lip. Then, it’s all about board control mid-air—whether it’s a massive alley-oop or a tweaked-out grab, he makes the impossible look smooth. It’s progressive surfing rooted in classic power. Watching him is a masterclass in using the wave’s whole energy to get sky-high.

A set is a group of waves that roll in together, usually bigger than the lull waves in between. Spotting them is key because it tells you when the good stuff is coming. Paddling out? Time your dash for the lull. Sitting on the lineup? It tells you when to get ready for a bomb. Ignoring sets means you’ll get caught inside, waste all your energy, and miss the best rides. It’s the ocean’s rhythm, dude—sync up with it.

Abso-bloody-lutely. A smooth, efficient duck dive means you get out back faster and with less gas in your tank. You spend less time battling the impact zone and more time lined up in the take-off spot. When a set comes, you’re not gassed from being pummeled—you’re ready to spin and go. It also lets you hold your position in a critical lineup instead of getting swept inland. It’s not just defense; it’s offensive wave-catching strategy.