By Mike Latronic – If the rhythm and melody of music were indeed connected to the natural currents of the ocean, then on December 22, 2024, Landon McNamara played the biggest concert of his life.
When Landon McNamara stroked into some of the most massive waves ridden at Waimea Bay at the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational presented by Rip Curl, the crowd on the bluff erupted. It wasn’t just another surfer threading nearly impossible drops; it was the arrival of a North Shore son, born and bred, whose life has always been intertwined with music, family, and the ocean. Landon won the contest and by doing so etched his name among an elite group of champions who have conquered one of surfing’s most storied events.
A Legacy Written at Pipeline Born and raised on Oʻahu’s North Shore, Landon is the son of legendary Pipeline charger Liam McNamara. Surfing isn’t just a pastime in the McNamara household—it’s a family tradition, a way of life that shaped Landon from his earliest memories. Watching his father and uncle, Garrett McNamara (famous for his record-setting Nazaré rides), Landon grew up surrounded by surfers who defined what it means to push the limits of commitment. It’s noteworthy that his younger brother Makai is also a serious performer.
Landon forged his own path, blending DNA-infused wave-riding instincts with a soulful personality that soon found expression beyond the ocean. While Landon was well on his way to following in his father’s footsteps charging on the North Shore, his talent as a musician and ensuing music career emerged front and center. Music became his second language, and his career as a singer-songwriter quickly earned him recognition across Hawai‘i and far beyond. Songs like “A Dollar Short & a Minute Late” struck a chord with audiences, grounding him as more than just “Liam’s kid.” He was carving out a voice of his own.
Challenges, Setbacks, and Growth Landon’s journey has not been without turbulence. Like many young men growing up under the bright lights of fame and expectation, he’s faced challenges on both personal and professional fronts. The pressures of carrying a family name, the temptation of distraction, and the difficulty of balancing two demanding passions—surfing and music—have tested him. But in those struggles, Landon found resilience.
His music often reflects themes of honesty, redemption, and connection, giving listeners a glimpse into the personal battles behind the public persona. That duality—singer on the stage, surfer in the sea—has made Landon relatable to fans who admire not only his talent but also his willingness to show vulnerability.
The Eddie: Where Legends Rise The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is unlike any other contest in surfing. It is not an annual spectacle, but a rare gathering when nature allows. To win the Eddie is to enter surfing immortality. Past champions—Clyde Aikau, Bruce Irons, Kelly Slater, Keone Downing, John John Florence—represent the pinnacle of courage and mastery. In 2025, it was Landon’s turn.
With composure well beyond his years, Landon put on a masterclass in Waimea’s mountainous walls. He drew deep lines and maintained an almost spiritual calm as the crowd gasped from the shore. Each ride seemed to build on the last until it became clear: this was his day.
Family, Community, and Focus For Landon, victory at Waimea was more than personal—it was a gift to his family and community. The McNamaras have always carried a deep respect for Hawaiian surf culture and its traditions, and Landon’s triumph added another proud chapter to their story.
Friends and family describe him as loyal, humble, and quietly determined. In his music, he preaches aloha and resilience; in his surfing, he demonstrates those values with every commitment over the ledge. That combination of artistry and athleticism makes him one of the most unique figures in the surf world today.
Looking Ahead As the Eddie looms on the horizon once again, all eyes will be on Landon. Winning once is monumental; contending again cements a surfer’s place in history. Having faced down some of the largest surf ever contested at Waimea, Landon knows what it takes—not just skill, but heart, patience, and a willingness to risk it all in the name of surfing’s purest tradition.
Whether behind a guitar or under the lip of a 40-foot Waimea bomb, Landon McNamara embodies the soul of the North Shore. His victory was not simply a single day’s triumph, but a culmination of years of family legacy, personal growth, and fearless love for the sea.
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