When the North Shore got pummeled by the Black Friday swell, it kind of got its ass kicked.
A couple of people survived heavy wipeouts on razor-sharp rocks at Shark’s Cove. The surf was so big it washed sand up all over Kamehameha Highway, and a rogue wave flooded a lifeguard tower.
Then there was the surfing. Nathan Florence paddled into enormous bombs on Oahu, Kai Lenny towed into enormous bombs, and Koa Rothman was reborn as a big wave surfer. Meanwhile, Jamie O’Brien surfed “psycho” Pipeline, and Koa Smith and Mason Ho both scored huge Waimea Bay.
Now with more huge surf on the forecast, North Shore lifeguards are bracing themselves once again.
Hawaii News Now captioned the report above:
“Monster waves roll into Oahu’s North Shore, creating dangerous conditions in the water and onshore”
According to reporter Jolani Martinez on the North Shore, “Lifeguards were busy pulling overwhelmed surfers from the water.”
“So far, they’ve made at least six rescues here at Waimea Bay and all were surfers that were either injured or inexperienced,” she added.
While the beaches have three lifeguards in each tower, and others patrolling the water and shoreline, Honolulu Ocean Safety’s Kerry Atwood offered advice to visitors:
“The most common mistake we see is people coming to the North Shore wanting to surf and overestimating their ability.
“So if you do come to the beach and plan on getting in the water, always check with a lifeguard first.
“But we do suggest that you sit down and you take some time and you watch the conditions and make sure that you have the ability to get yourself back to the beach.”
As the saying goes, “If in doubt, don’t go out.”
Reporter Keahi Tucker added:
“It looks like an Eddie-size swell, but the timing and winds are questionable so The Eddie is not a go.”
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