North Shore’s 40-foot waves
It was January 28, 2003, my cousin Jazlyn’s baby luau. Uncle Gary with his bulky truck drove two hours from Waipahu to the north of Oahu where BYUH sits. My roommate Apple and I jumped up the back of the Nissan Frontier while Mommy sat beside Uncle. We took a few pictures before he started the engine.
"Shaka!"
On the way, we were still striking some poses and flashing big smiles; which obviously showed our excitement. As we pass by Sunset Beach my attention was caught by people huddling by the seashore – the sea was raging with its 40-foot waves!
We were in much awe, making noise, stretching our hands out pointing at the furious yet flaunting sea. Suddenly, my Uncle pulled over at the right shoulder of the high-way. We happily hopped out the truck; hurriedly neared the shore, and started taking pictures, taking turns on saying “cheese.”
Displaying our smiles zipped up to our ears, we patiently waited for the right timing for the waves to form a wall-like structure. We were like new parents, with cameras pasted on our palms, animatedly anticipating our baby’s first giggle.
As the waves collided into the rocks, subtle shower sprinkled on our faces; that was also worth note taking.
Challenging the angry sea at the annual surfing competition at North Shore
Noticeably, a long yellow ribbon which says “no swimming,” stretched out few inches between the shore and the water’s toes. One would never dare charge and challenge the North Shore at the peak of its wonderful wrath. On second thought, perhaps daredevils would.
It was a sight both beautiful and dreadful.
Killer waves of North Shore
Those humongous waves of North Shore, one of the biggest in the world, happen only once a year during the winter season – truly a site worth anticipating.
On the other hand, the day I scanned the newly processed pictures I was both zealous and disappointed. The giant waves in our background looked like ordinary ones. It didn’t appear 40-foot at all, nor exhilarating and angry. The only things duplicated close to reality were our smiles exuding excitement.
"...didn't look 40-foot at all!"
Few days passed yet my words still lingered on the massive waves and the irony behind the processed photos. A friend overheard my awe and queries; and abruptly expressed her similar experience of wonder and frustration regarding the waves. The only difference was, she had a video camera. When she watched the film – you know how the waves looked like on screen. Yet I see postcards of North Shore’s waves cradling surfers; they really are overwhelming they could swallow a mountain. My mind then landed on a simple conclusion – our gadgets were far from sophistication! In other words, what we need are professional cameras and video cameras. Too bad our amateur apparatus can’t capture the killer waves.
"Where are the big waves?"
I therefore conclude – there’s no substitute to personally beholding and experiencing the real rage and wonder of North Shore’s 40-foot waves. So, you better be there in the flesh and feel the blood rush up your head!
Related posts:
- My first dip into the Hawaiian waters
- Mysteries of Heaven
- Mr. Touch’s touching tale
- I Miss You My Hawaii
- Things I miss about Hawaii
Looking at the pictures and recalling the experience watching the waves and taking a picture with the giant waves far away as a background, I gently feel the cool drizzle, the tiny drops of the waves that struck my back while posing with my daughter during one of my short stints in Hawaii savoring the beauty of North Shore.
I haven’t seen 4o foot waves yet. I didn’t want to wake up that early in the morning and drive that far to see it. But somehow I wanted to experience how is it like to see a 4o foot waves from a distant.
Hi sis,
Don’t miss the 40-foot waves at North Shore. It’s fun and exciting to feel even just the gentle drizzle that touches your body as you behold the giant waves from afar if you stop by Waimea Road. Gary brought us there one time on our way to Waipahu from Laie, with Apple and Chit.
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