Steve'sDigicams

selvin · Dec 9, 2009, 1:15 AM

This may or may not pass muster with Cal but here goes.
For the first time since 2004 the Eddie Aikau Surf Contest was held on Oahu's North Shore at Wamea Beach. This was like a holiday in Hawaii. Met a few people who simply took the day off from work to see the big waves 40+ feet and even more dramatic the surfers who challenge them.
The Eddie is held only when waves consistently top 20+ feet and have the right shape for the big name surfers from all over the world. Contestants are by special invitation only. Thousands flock to see the event with cars backed up for miles. I walked three miles from my parking spot.
Here's a sample of the crowd atop one lookout and a glimpse of the huge crowd on the beach. as you can imagine the beach is closed and only the invitees are allowed to surf.

Take a look at the surfers in the next two shots. (Sorry I exceeded my limit on this one.)

and the final scene.

Bynx · Dec 9, 2009, 6:33 AM

Like Oliver Twist once said....I'd like some more please!

johnnymisadventures · Dec 9, 2009, 7:55 AM

wow, I would not want to be the surfer on the right of the last photo. He is not in a good spot. Did he surf it out or did he get trashed? Amazing photos. It really captures the size of the waves.

Walter C · Dec 9, 2009, 10:28 AM

Isn't every day a holiday in Hawaii? I can see why the crowds have gathered with the size of those waves. I guess my home town will have to change its title to "Surf City (Continental) USA". Our surfers are happy when they get six-footers. Thanks for sharing those, Selvin.

Ordo · Dec 9, 2009, 5:31 PM

What a hell of waves. Good picks! The last one rocks.

selvin · Dec 10, 2009, 6:00 AM

Folks,
Thanks for the kind comments. Despite the pain and agony getting there it was worth seeing this rare contest.

You may see other pics surf pictures from this contest at:

www.pbase.com/selvin/eddie

Enjoy

stockdogtta · Dec 10, 2009, 6:19 AM

The local news had a short piece on this.....sure bet it is something to watch.

Dennis

Mugmar · Dec 10, 2009, 8:30 AM

Wow those are some huge waves. The surfers look like little ants! Great captures of a rare event

SharpShotGal · Dec 10, 2009, 9:35 PM

Wow I have not seen as many great shots of warmth in years I could sure use some of that nice weather right now with all this back pain I have nerve damage and its like living in a freezer right now my fingers feel like ice even in a room set a 70 degrees.

selvin · Dec 11, 2009, 3:05 PM

Dennis, Mugmar, Sharpshot,
Thanks. It was a once in a lifetime opporunity.

Sharpshot, I just met a pair of tourists from Washington State who were sightseeing in downtown Honolulu and they said they got here from 15 degree weather. Honolulu's 80 degrees was a blessing. Now I know why I decided not to live in Chicago.
Aloha

Dec 9, 2009, 1:15 AM	#1
selvin Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 7,204	Holiday Activities: The Eddie Aikau This may or may not pass muster with Cal but here goes. For the first time since 2004 the Eddie Aikau Surf Contest was held on Oahu's North Shore at Wamea Beach. This was like a holiday in Hawaii. Met a few people who simply took the day off from work to see the big waves 40+ feet and even more dramatic the surfers who challenge them. The Eddie is held only when waves consistently top 20+ feet and have the right shape for the big name surfers from all over the world. Contestants are by special invitation only. Thousands flock to see the event with cars backed up for miles. I walked three miles from my parking spot. Here's a sample of the crowd atop one lookout and a glimpse of the huge crowd on the beach. as you can imagine the beach is closed and only the invitees are allowed to surf. Take a look at the surfers in the next two shots. (Sorry I exceeded my limit on this one.) and the final scene.

Dec 10, 2009, 6:19 AM	#7
stockdogtta Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Greenfield, IL Posts: 255	The local news had a short piece on this.....sure bet it is something to watch. Dennis __________________ Dennis

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Dec 9, 2009, 6:33 AM	#2
Bynx Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East of Toronto Posts: 8,800	Like Oliver Twist once said....I'd like some more please!

Dec 9, 2009, 7:55 AM	#3
johnnymisadventures Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 58	wow, I would not want to be the surfer on the right of the last photo. He is not in a good spot. Did he surf it out or did he get trashed? Amazing photos. It really captures the size of the waves.

Dec 9, 2009, 10:28 AM	#4
Walter C Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA USA Posts: 8,116	Isn't every day a holiday in Hawaii? I can see why the crowds have gathered with the size of those waves. I guess my home town will have to change its title to "Surf City (Continental) USA". Our surfers are happy when they get six-footers. Thanks for sharing those, Selvin.

Dec 9, 2009, 5:31 PM	#5
Ordo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: BsAs Posts: 3,452	What a hell of waves. Good picks! The last one rocks.

Dec 10, 2009, 6:00 AM	#6
selvin Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 7,204	Folks, Thanks for the kind comments. Despite the pain and agony getting there it was worth seeing this rare contest. You may see other pics surf pictures from this contest at: www.pbase.com/selvin/eddie Enjoy

Dec 10, 2009, 8:30 AM	#8
Mugmar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,196	Wow those are some huge waves. The surfers look like little ants! Great captures of a rare event

Dec 10, 2009, 9:35 PM	#9
SharpShotGal Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Kitsap Penninsula, Washington State Posts: 1,217	Wow I have not seen as many great shots of warmth in years I could sure use some of that nice weather right now with all this back pain I have nerve damage and its like living in a freezer right now my fingers feel like ice even in a room set a 70 degrees.

Dec 11, 2009, 3:05 PM	#10
selvin Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 7,204	Dennis, Mugmar, Sharpshot, Thanks. It was a once in a lifetime opporunity. Sharpshot, I just met a pair of tourists from Washington State who were sightseeing in downtown Honolulu and they said they got here from 15 degree weather. Honolulu's 80 degrees was a blessing. Now I know why I decided not to live in Chicago. Aloha