Surf on North Shore likely to drop today
By Will Hoover
Advertiser North Shore Writer
WAIMEA BAY — The National Weather Service downgraded its high-surf warning here to an advisory yesterday following Monday night's 35-foot-face waves on the North Shore.
At sunrise, waves still were moving in at a formidable 25 feet, said forecaster Bob Burke. But they diminished to 20 feet or less in the afternoon, and the warning was canceled, he said.
Residents had braced for big waves, and lifeguards closed all North Shore beaches Monday afternoon. The big waves arrived on schedule, but they produced little damage.
Lifeguard Lt. John Hoogsteden said most North Shore beaches were open to the public yesterday, although recreational activities remained restricted virtually everywhere along the coast. Warning signs were posted on the beaches, along with yellow "Caution" tape used to mark off some restricted areas.
None of which bothered visitors such as Richard and Diana Osentoski of Trenton, Mich., a suburb of Detroit, who were spending their last day of a one-month Island-hopping vacation.
"We came here for our honeymoon 18 years ago, and we've been coming back every year around this time ever since," said Diana, who, like her husband, is an avid North Shore wave watcher and photographer — but not a surfer.
In Hale'iwa, the First North Shore Tow-In Championship began under bright sunny skies at 9 a.m. When the competition ended mid-afternoon, gray clouds and drizzle blocked the sun, but they were unable to dampen the enthusiasm of the participants.
"It was awesome," exclaimed tow-in surfer Eric Fisher, who won the event. "The waves were perfect. They weren't the biggest — maybe 20-foot sets — but they were just what you want for a contest like this."
Burke, who said the high-surf advisory would remain in place through tomorrow, said today's waves should drop to the 12- to 18-foot range. He said another 20-foot swell may arrive on Sunday.
"That one may be borderline warning levels," said Burke. "It may get near the 25-foot mark."
Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8038.
