Surf's Up, Dude

Hawaii had record surf while we there. The news reported 50 foot waves which haven't been seen since the 80's. We don't think we saw any of the 50 footers but definitely saw waves over 30 feet. It is quite the sight.

At least five of the days we were there, the beaches had flags out for wave advisories. These aren't warnings to be taken lightly. Even professional swimmers and surfers should take note. I think they use the wave warnings frequently because the red flags were rather faded. The signs on the poles for the flags were still quite legible which is the important part. The decoder for the symbols can be found in rooms and on large signs by the main access to most beaches. The warnings were all for waves that smash people into the sand with possibly dire consequences. What the signs don't say, is if you stand on the beach, you get to watch the waves crash picturesquely into rocks. Also, the wind whips water off of the top of the wave as mist.

Not everyone stays on the beach. The serious surfers were out in the coves waiting for waves. The waves coming into the coves weren't the 50 footers. They were probably in the 10 plus foot range. With smaller and closer waves, the surfers can swim out to them and ride the smooth waves back into shore.

The big waves cost more. They are far enough out, surfers are dropped off by jet ski or helicopter. It is too much work to swim out to the really big waves. At least that is what we were told.

Being sensible people, we stayed out of the waves and admired them from the shore.