Falling water: Eddie Aikau Surfing meet

[selvin]

This is an archival shot from three years ago. This invitational surf meet is held only when waves hit 20 feet or higher for at least 8 hours. Since inception in 1985 it has been held only eight times. It is named in honor of one of Hawaii's really great big wave surfers.
For a moment it appeared that it might have been held recently but the giant waves didn't last. Consequently only shots from 2009 are available.
As one previous participant commented it's scary to have that massive amount of water falling on you as you try to keep your balance and sanity.

[calr]

I'm not a surfer and never will be...and now I know why!

Cal

[MVASteve]

Great shot selvin would love to see this in person! Shame the event was cancelled the swell charts looked very promising. Those surfers need to be very focused and without any sense of fear!
If you want to see something wild check this out at vimeo
Heavy falling water.

http://vimeo.com/35328567

[wave01]

nice shot maybe 40 years ago but love to watch

[ramcewan]

cool subject and great shots. I always wanted to be a surfer but grew up in the north east too far from the ocean and took up snowboarding instead. someday I hope to get to Hawaii and give it a go

[mtngal]

Incredible color to the water, and those guys are crazy. I, too, wanted to learn to surf when I was growing up, but we were too far away from the ocean and my parents weren't beach people. I don't think I'd have the nerve to try it now, even on the dinky waves we usually have. But I still love seeing those who do and realize that it can become a major passion for some. I appreciate that, because it makes for some great photo opportunities when I do manage to get to the beach.

[Curmudgeon]

I love the color. I also love trying to catch the mist as it curls back over the top of the wave.