Giant Waves Crash On Hawaii's Beaches, Could Reach Up To 50 Feet (VIDEO)

MARK NIESSE, Associated Press

HONOLULU - Thousands of spectators and surfers are flocking to Hawaii's beaches to see the biggest waves in years crash ashore.

Heavy traffic backed up for miles Monday along roads leading to Oahu's North Shore. Some of the world's most daring surfers took on the powerful and dangerous waves, which forecasters say could reach heights of 50 feet.

The surf grew so large that a few beaches on Oahu and Maui were closed because lifeguards feared inexperienced sightseers could drown, according to state officials.

"After the water comes in, it can drag you back out with it," said Eric Basta, a manager at Surf N Sea in Haleiwa. "Be mindful of how powerful the surf really is."

As violent as the waves were, they may grow in strength by Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. The high waves are expected to continue through Wednesday.

A legendary big wave surfing contest, the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, may be held Tuesday for the first time since 2004 if waves reach a height of about 40 feet, organizers said. The event is only held in perfect conditions, and the waves weren't quite big or smooth enough yet Monday.

"The swell energy is continuing to grow, and the waves may get larger," said Robert Ballard, a forecaster for the National Weather Service. "A large storm over the North Pacific has sent a wave train at us."

Hawaii hasn't seen such large waves since 2004 or 1998, he said.

Teams of tow-in surfers -- who use jet watercraft to race into waves too big to paddle -- are flying to Maui from Brazil, South Africa and Australia, The Honolulu Advertiser reported.

(This version CORRECTS spelling of 'Quiksilver')

Comments

[silentobsvr]

09:26 AM on 12/09/2009

When last in Hawaii I was fortunate to see 20 foot waves along the pipeline and the North Shore. I was truly awed!!..I wish I could be there to experience this....Mo­ther nature and the ocean are awesomely, magnificen­t..

[Meggie]

03:07 PM on 12/08/2009

#1;+%?!!! WORK! I Want to be sitting on Sunset Beach tomorrow!

[Forester]

02:04 PM on 12/08/2009

Mavericks is on hold due to some cold rain, but the swell train is coming this way.

[greenchili]

01:56 PM on 12/08/2009

The "Eddie" is a go!!!!!!!!­! Peahi is going off and Laird is ridding monsters right now. "Jaws"
is ripping brahs...La­ter, going to enjoy the show. EPIC!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!

Aloha from the North Shore of Maui

[rejoyce5]

01:30 PM on 12/08/2009

We went to Haleiwa last night after work and made our way to Waimea Bay. The traffic was horrendous­!!! The bay was the place to be. Waves weren't as big as predicted but should be bigger tonight. But I will just stay home and watch it on the news.

[vet-of4renwarz]

02:14 PM on 12/08/2009

Hahahahaz.­. that little parking lot? Nooo way... Sandy Beach FTW

[Meggie]

03:08 PM on 12/08/2009

If I could be on the Island, I'd walk to the beach!

[TXfemmom]

12:47 PM on 12/08/2009

We were in Hawaii in December of 2000 and saw the tremendous­ly large waves along the north shore. I thought they were massive, but these are larger. It took us two and a half hours to drive from Honolulu to the crest of the mountains so we could look down on the north shore and see the waves but it was worth it. It was breathtaki­ng but anyone who would actually get out in those waves has to be crazy.

[Meggie]

03:09 PM on 12/08/2009

My favorite part of any Hawaiian visit is just being at a North Shore beach.

[JWB2012]

12:32 PM on 12/08/2009

I was living on Oahu in "98 and paddled out in the early dawn. It was 15 to 20' and growing larger by the 1/2 hour. I got "chased" out by 10 a.m. by a 30+ foot (that's 50-60 ft. on the face) wave. They held the Eddie that day with 30-35' perfect surf. It was the first time I ever got "chased" out ( paddled in, instead of catching a wave), and that was the last time I surfed big waves. I was 52 years alive at that time. I have surfed huge stuff in Mexico (where I live now- Puerto Escondido) and Puerto Rico ( Tres Palmas), and I will tell you...It is easier to paddle for and ride one of those beasts than it is to step off the safety of the beach and paddle out. GO EDDIE!!

[chendri887]

12:14 PM on 12/08/2009

Wow, that's insane. Going out in those conditions is truly brave. Tommy Carroll's comment "My ankle was just flopping around...I hope it's not broken," was unintentio­nally funny. Tommy, I think you have a soft tissue injury that is far worse than a broken ankle, if memory of my own torn ligaments and cartilage skateboard­ing/biking injuries is any indication­.

[memphisj]

12:07 PM on 12/08/2009

I wonder if Bodhi has been spotted on the beach? I hear he may not make it this year......

[VirginiaCarolina]

12:11 PM on 12/08/2009

I believe he passed away a few months back. But maybe Da Cat will show.

[JWB2012]

12:39 PM on 12/08/2009

Da Cat ( Mickey Dora) passed on a few years ago. Back in the 60's, it was Malibu, Mickey , and me. I ran the surfboard rental stand there, and slept on the point for 3 years.

[JWB2012]

12:44 PM on 12/08/2009

Bodhi's "suicide" wave in the movie, Point Break, was performed by Derrick Dorhner from the North shore. He still rips and was instrument­al in the advancemen­t of tow-in huge wavesurfin­g with Laird Hamilton.

[memphisj]

12:05 PM on 12/08/2009

I wonder if Bodhi has been spotted on the beach yet. I heard he may not make it......

[JWB2012]

12:48 PM on 12/08/2009

Point Break was an entertaini­ng flik, but it gave a very negative portrayal of the true surfers lifestyle which I have lived for over 50 years.

[partisanpolitico]

02:50 PM on 12/08/2009

Did you just respond to a N Shore film rip?!?!
"entertain­ing"???
Do you really surf?
That film blew chunks and you know it.

[ArborialBiped]

12:02 PM on 12/08/2009

Spent a couple days in Maui Central Hospital, and then a few months in a neck-brace­, the last time I let exuberance triumph over common sense. This year, I'm content to just watch the awesome beauty on TV!

[chendri887]

12:20 PM on 12/08/2009

I've rocked my neck pretty badly on six foot waves in southern California­. I cannot imagine trying to duck dive or getting stuck in front of a twenty, thirty, or, god forbid, forty foot breaking wave. The thought is horrifying­. Glad that you're okay.

[ArborialBiped]

12:57 PM on 12/08/2009

Thanks. It was "only" a 15-footer that taught me the lesson of a lifetime. Prior to Kapalua, the only surfing experience for this east coast boy was a few times in CT, Maine, and Santa Cruz. I'm okay now, except for some permanent numbness in one hand -- could've been a LOT worse.

The surf gods were kind to a stupid haole that day....

[VirginiaCarolina]

11:52 AM on 12/08/2009

Eddie Would Go. But not me.

[uhuhuh]

11:36 AM on 12/08/2009

I have seen these size waves on Maui and have some great video, it is unbelievab­le. Have surfed 15 foot waves in Puerto Rico and Mexico and the power in these waves are awesome. It takes a lot of guts and skill to even paddle out in 40 ft. surf and it is very dangerous.

[momcat4obama]

10:46 AM on 12/08/2009

I lived in Hawaii in the early 70's, and I can remember the big surf hitting the North Shore. We had some friends who lived out there, and their house was destroyed by the waves-whil­e they were in it! - they were fine, but the house was gone.

[heidiMT]

10:38 AM on 12/08/2009

That would be really cool to see. I've done some crazy stuff and there's no way I could do that. Takes a special breed to take on that kind of power.