Brisk surf conditions likely to prevail

By Mike Gordon and Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writers

It won't be Big Wednesday, but there will be waves from all over the compass.

The swell train that blessed southern shores last weekend will continue.

Although the south swell dropped slightly yesterday to 4 to 6 feet, the National Weather Service extended its high-surf advisory through today, when wave faces on southern shores of all islands are expected to rise to 5 to 8 feet.

Brisk surf conditions yesterday toppled a bodyboarder from the surf spot known as China Walls and dragged him across the reef, requiring several firefighters to rescue him.

On O'ahu's north-facing shores, waves increased to 5 to 8 feet yesterday and were forecast to last through today.

And the island's west- and east-facing shores will see waves build to 3 to 5 feet today.

Pat Caldwell, a surf forecaster for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the transition between summer and winter surf seasons often has waves from several swell directions.

North Shore surfers are probably eager for the winter to start. They were treated to a once-in-a-century swell in August — wave faces reached 12 feet — but nothing since.

After that, "the faucet was turned off," Caldwell said.

"September has been very sleepy, but there is a lot of anticipation of something happening," he said.

At China Walls, fire officials said a man in his mid-20s had been preparing to jump into the water when a wave knocked him down. The surf continued to propel him in shallow water along the reef, and he suffered scrapes to his back and legs.

Units from the Hawai'i Kai station responded to the 12:18 p.m. alarm, with air and rescue crews called to assist.

The man was only about 20 yards from shore, said Hawai'i Kai Fire Capt. Robert Thomas, but he was at a point facing a 50-foot cliff so rescuers had difficulty getting to him.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.