Lifeguards on Alert for Monster Surf

As reported by Ben Gutierrez – Jan 18, 2014 – Hawaii News Now

Hawaii News Now – KGMB and KHNL

NORTH SHORE, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The big waves at “Pipeline” are a sign of winter in Hawaii. They drew big crowds that made the bumper- to-bumper pilgrimage to see Mother Nature in action.

Spectator Andy Lynch explained the appeal, ” Just the raw power of it, I guess. It just goes on forever. You can never get tired of it. At least not me anyway.”

Barb Genda shared, “We’re up here specifically today because we heard of the big waves. We’ve already been up to the North Shore. We wanted to come back out hoping that there was going to be some surfing for the kids to see.”

Wave conditions weren’t right for surfing at “Pipe” and sightseers were content to remain on shore.

Shayne Enright of the City Emergency Medical Services conveyed, “This is exactly what we want to see. We want to see people enjoying themselves. Having a good time. We don’t want them to be getting hurt or even worse.”

Even with the warning signs and what should have been obvious peril, 3 young men plunged into the surf. Lifeguards immediately headed toward them, coaxing them back to the safety of the shore.

According to the city’s emergency medical services division, there were more than 1,600 preventative actions on the North Shore. There were also 2 rescues. One of them was at Waimea Bay, which was one of the few spots where there were surfers in the water trying to catch inconsistent sets.

With even more big surf on the way, authorities want everyone to be careful and to listen to the lifeguards.

“If they listen to the lifeguards they should be safe”, said Enright. “If they don’t they’re going to be putting their lives in jeopardy.”

So enjoy the surf,…from a distance.

Bill Freedman elaborates, “This should be one of the 7 wonders of the world. This is the power, a force that you see here that I don’t think you would see anywhere else.”

A lot of attention also has been focused on the west shores. According to Honolulu EMS, there were 5 rescues & 775 preventative measures.