Jamie Mitchell Island crossing : photo courtesy Jamie Mitchell

Team News

Former Gold Coast lifeguard going big

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 17 November, 2009 : - - Eight time Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard champion, Big Wave Hunter, and arguably the fastest man on water Jamie Mitchell from Currumbin has received what many big wave surfers consider the ultimate honour receiving an invite to compete in the 25th Eddie Aikau Invitational.

"The Eddie", as it is known, features the world's top big wave riders, by invitation only, and is reserved for a rare day of epic proportions when Waimea Bay is booming with waves of 10 metres plus. Mitchell is on the shortlist of Alternates, meaning that if any of the 28 elite Invitees can't make it or choose not to ride on the day, he may realize his dream of riding in Aikau's honor.

It's a major step for the former Gold Coast lifeguard considered by many as one of the world top all-round watermen. Even more impressive is that he only arrived on the big wave scene in 2003, but since making his debut at Waimea, he has continued to astound, performing well on the biggest of days.

"I've logged a lot of water time in the ocean," says Mitchell. "It's definitely different water time - out by yourself, alone with the ocean. But I think (paddleboarding) has more in common with big wave riding than surfing small waves does. "When you see that big wave coming, you've got to talk yourself through it. Like when you're out to were alone, paddling. You talk to the ocean and you talk yourself through the process. It's about understanding the ocean, judgment and the sum of all your experiences."

Aikau was more than a surfer. He was a free-diver, bodysurfer, voyager, and lifeguard, performing countless rescues during his days as Waimea's premier lifeguard in the '60s and early '70s.

His daily life revolved around the ocean so it was fate that his life would end there, too. In 1978, en-route to Tahiti aboard the Hokule'a voyaging canoe, gale force winds and heaving seas capsized the vessel in the Molokai Channel. With no other means of securing help for his crew, Eddie insisted on paddling for Lanai, some 19 kilometres away. He was just two months shy of his 32nd birthday. He was never seen again.

Mitchell, at age 32, has found his connection with Aikau, and it's out there in the same channel and bay of surf that Aikau dedicated his life to.

Through the course of his eight world championship crossings of the Molokai Channel, and while riding huge waves at Waimea Bay, Jamie has embraced Eddie's legacy and the tradition of the waterman, finding a common bond with the man he never met: Both were lifeguards; both have an inordinate number of hours on the ocean; both grew up swimming and bodysurfing the waves and developed an uncanny ability to "read" the ocean; both can perform in intense situations.

"Every year I paddle the channel there are times when my mind goes to Eddie," says Mitchell. "It makes the connection special. There have been some real tough times when I've had to look hard into my soul, dig deep, and ask myself if I really want this. You've got to want it."
He feels the same yearning when it comes to surfing in The Eddie:

"It's the ultimate honour. Just getting on the list is an honour. To actually surf in it would be amazing. I feel I've honoured Eddie a little with every crossing of the Molokai Channel and I hope to one day do the same in his event.

Coinciding with his invitation Jamie has also recently launched his official website jamie-mitchell.com where you can follow Jamie's adventures through his blog as well as checking out heaps of amazing photos, facts and figures. Take a look you'll be blown away.

www.jamie-mitchell.com

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