tis the season for surf contests

The Eddie happens only every few years, the last time it was held was in 2004. The time before that, and when we had seen it last, was in 2002. The waves have to be consistently over 25 ft for the whole day with good conditions because it is run in a single day, so it is special when it happens. In 2002 it was crowded, but not too crazy. This year was insane. I knew our beloved north shore has been under siege as of late, but I didn't know it would be like it was. People slept in their cars on the side of the road around Waimea Bay the night before because there was a chance it would be on...but we didn't know the degree of insanity until we had gotten there.
I thought it'd be on Tuesday, so we planned for it Monday night. Lunch packed, bags packed and alarm set. We got up at 5:30 and arrived at the bay before light. Sadly, we had to still park about 2 miles away- cars were already parking along side the road and people were walking.
Crazy, yes. But there's an anxious feeling in the air and everyone's in a good mood. Turtle was right: when the surf is good, nobody works.


Driving past Haleiwa. We realize we're not the only ones going to watch.


The trek. Tristan knew it was a special day.

We finally got to the bay and were greeted with this:

A bit later the commentators on the beach announced that the Eddie is on and we could hear everyone cheer.


Found a nice spot at the end of the beach with shade the whole day.


Tristan was so excited he started tearing off his pjs.

Views from the beach.



The madness. Bathroom wait: men's- 15 min, women's-30+ min.

Kelly pulling into the shorebreak.

Tristan trying to sneak away at the end of the day


I don't know if we'll go again for a while, especially since they have it live on the internet now.
But it is such an experience.


The Pipe Masters:
I wait for this contest all year, it is so sweet to watch. Huge gaping barrels close to the beach. So much fun. And all my heroes are in it.



Kelly pulling in. (gift idea: I need a sweet zoom lens)

Tristan kickin it in the Volcom house bushes.

Dane is great.

Great Dane.

Mama and T enjoying the show.

Tristan was pretty fired up by the end of the day. This what happened when we pulled him away from the beach.

One of my favorite things about winter/ Christmas time is the surf. both enjoying it and watching stuff like this. So glad my little family enjoys it too.