Lifeguards warn public to be careful while watching monstrous surf
WAIMEA BAY (HawaiiNewsNow) - Tens of thousands of people are joining some of the world’s best big wave surfers on Oahu’s North Shore Sunday for the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational.
A high surf warning is in effect for north and west shores of most islands as a series of extra large swells arrive, and the North Shore is seeing waves of 50 feet in face height, according to contest organizers.
THE EDDIE IS ON: View our complete coverage
First responders, including police, fire, ocean safety, medical services, and emergency management personnel are on alert to ensure the public stays safe.
Honolulu Ocean Safety and Emergency Medical Services are ramping up resources with extra lifeguards stationed at Waimea Bay.
If you are not an experienced ocean-goer, stay away from the ocean and shorelines along the north and west-facing shores during this high surf period.
Officials said there were too many close calls during the last “Eddie” in 2023.
“We have to have people listen to the lifeguards. We have to have them stay back. We have to have them move quickly. If they’re going to make a move, they got to go quick,” said Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokesperson Shayne Enright.
“We just don’t want to get into a situation where we saw in that viral video all those people being swept up and close to being taken out into the ocean. We don’t need to have that,” Enright said.
Enright said spectators should keep a close eye on their loved ones, their pets, and their belongings so nothing gets swept into the ocean.
“We want everybody to have a good time here today, but we want them to go home safely and enjoy their holidays,” she said.
Spectators can also stream the contest on rogue.tv or ripcurl.com.
Previous Coverage:
- ‘The Eddie’ is on! Tens of thousands gather on North Shore for big wave surf contest
- North Shore businesses prepare for ‘The Eddie’ crowds
- ‘We are on’: The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational gets green light for Sunday
- Will ‘Eddie’ go? What big-wave contest organizers are looking for
- With ‘The Eddie’ possible, groups and organizers urge safety — and to leave a lot at home
- Yellow alert for ‘The Eddie’ this weekend as north-shore surf rises to dangerous levels
- SPECIAL SECTION: 2023 Eddie Aikau Stories
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