Sierra Blogging Post Archives

If you're a big wave surfer living in Hawaii, you're probably waxing your board as I write this. A forecast for 50-foot waves has surfers psyched for the Eddie Invitational Big Wave Surf Competition on the North Shore of Oahu.

The biggest waves since 1969 have everyone excited and undergoing emergency preparations for the event. The Eddie Invitational can only happen when waves of 20 feet or more are forecast for a full day. 50-foot waves are a dream come true for event officials, spectators and big wave surfers.


"It's that old saying, 'The bay will call the day.' We are just taking precautions right now to get set," said Tod Kline, with Quicksilver. "We are ready to go first thing tomorrow morning."

Eddie Invitational officials expect the beach to be packed with people tomorrow, (assuming the forecast delivers) and the 25th anniversary tournament to be a huge success. But local officials are also worried about the potential danger 50-foot waves could cause to the beaches, roads and homes near the beach.

"We are also concerned of possible damage to homes on the shorelines and also the hazard to all of our residentially-challenged families living on the beaches," said John Cummings, with Oahu Civil Defense. "This is a very hazardous situation," Cummings said. "People need to be very, very aware."