Surfers Take on Huge Waves in Hawaii

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - Some of the world's best surfers headed to Waimea Bay in Hawaii to hang ten in the Quicksilver Big Wave Surfing contest Tuesday. The competition is held in memory of Eddie Aikau, and only occurs in extreme conditions.

Greg Long, of San Clemente, Calif., won the competition. The Los Angeles Times reported that Long survived a nearly sheer drop down one of the larger set waves late in the event's final heat, which the judges scored a perfect 100.

USA Today reported that although the tournament is organized every winter, it has rarely been held because surf at Waimea Bay hasn't met its requirements: ridable 20-plus-foot waves measured Hawaiian-style -- from the back of the wave -- or about 40 feet from peak to trough. The meet was last held Dec. 15, 2004.

According to The New York Times lifeguards were warning spectators and some surfers from going too close to the water. "Anybody who enters the water today," a lifeguard, Jeff Morelock, said over a beachside public-address system, "better know what they are doing."

Waves were measured hitting 35 feet at one point. The National Weather Service forecast predicted some wave sets to hit as high as 50 feet on the outer reefs. The waves were powered by two storms north by northwest of Hawaii that produced high surf through Wednesday.