Waves top 20 feet; 'Eddie' surfers go
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
Surfers charge a set today at Waimea Bay, where the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau contest is being held.
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Waves as large as three-story buildings rumbled through Waimea Bay today as the North Shore witnessed the largest surf of the winter.
The fearsome conditions drew crowds of spectators and prompted organizers to hold the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, a surf contest that can only be held if surf reaches 20 feet.
Forecasters predicted surf would peak at 25 to 30 feet today and decline tomorrow to 15 to 20 feet.
"We had reports this morning from surf contest organizers that the waves were closing out Waimea Bay, so it was probably 25 feet or about 30 feet," said Jonathan Hoag, a meteorologist and marine forecaster with the National Weather Service.
From the Sunset Beach Fire Station, Capt. James Mensching usually can see surfers in the Waimea Bay lineup, but today the mist from huge crashing waves obscured his view.
Sets were consistently larger than 20 feet up and down the coast, he said.
There were no reports of property damage, said Paul Takamiya, plans and operations manager for O'ahu Civil Defense.
Waves washed over Kamehameha Highway at Laniakea and Chun's Reef and at Ka Waena Road, said North Shore lifeguard Lt. John Hoogsteden.
"We advise no beach and ocean recreation activity," he said. "It's the biggest swell so far this season."
