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Watch: 40-foot waves slam Oahu beach as Hawaii's 'The Eddie' surf competition underway

A High Surf Warning is in effect for Oahu's North Shore until 6 a.m. Hawaii time on Monday. Waves between 40 and 50 feet were expected to peak around noon local time Sunday at Waimea Bay.

By Hayley Vawter Source FOX Weather
Dangerous surf conditions with waves reaching dozens of feet high are slamming Hawaii’s northern beaches just as winter-weary travelers may be searching out sun and warm beach weather for the Christmas week break. 01:50

Parade of Pacific storms send big waves to Hawaii

Dangerous surf conditions with waves reaching dozens of feet high are slamming Hawaii’s northern beaches just as winter-weary travelers may be searching out sun and warm beach weather for the Christmas week break.

OAHU, Hawaii – A surfing competition that requires unique surf conditions was held on the north shore of Oahu on Sunday.

The surfing competition requires at least 40-foot waves by 8 a.m. the day of the competition to move forward, and consists of two rounds with five heats in each round, according to KHON2. 

Waves reaching 40-50 feet were expected on Sunday, as "The Eddie" surfing competition gets underway. The competition requires swells of at least 40 feet to happen. 01:04

Massive waves prompt High Surf Warning on Oahu

Waves reaching 40-50 feet were expected on Sunday, as "The Eddie" surfing competition gets underway. The competition requires swells of at least 40 feet to happen.

"The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational" honors the life and legacy of Eddie Aikau, a waterman and lifeguard on Oahu's North Shore who rescued countless swimmers from the rough and dangerous surf, according to the Eddie Aikau Foundation. 

  • Surfer Tai Kane catches a wave at the famous Pe'ahi Jaws Surf Break on the island of Maui, Hawaii on December 20, 2024.
    Image 1 of 8

    Surfer Tai Kane catches a wave at the famous Pe'ahi Jaws Surf Break on the island of Maui, Hawaii on December 20, 2024. (BRIAN BIELMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

  • Hawaiian surfer Noah Beschen catches a wave at the Pe'ahi Jaws Surf Break on the island of Maui, Hawaii, on December 21, 2024.
    Image 2 of 8

    Hawaiian surfer Noah Beschen catches a wave at the Pe'ahi Jaws Surf Break on the island of Maui, Hawaii, on December 21, 2024. (BRIAN BIELMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

  • Hawaiian surfer Tai Kane catches a wave at the Pe'ahi Jaws Surf Break on the island of Maui, Hawaii, on December 21, 2024.
    Image 3 of 8

    Hawaiian surfer Tai Kane catches a wave at the Pe'ahi Jaws Surf Break on the island of Maui, Hawaii, on December 21, 2024. (BRIAN BIELMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

  • Tahitian surfer Eimeo Czermak wipes out on a wave at the Pe'ahi Jaws Surf Break on the island of Maui, Hawaii, on December 21, 2024.
    Image 4 of 8

    Tahitian surfer Eimeo Czermak wipes out on a wave at the Pe'ahi Jaws Surf Break on the island of Maui, Hawaii, on December 21, 2024. (BRIAN BIELMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

  • Hawaiian surfer Luke Shepardson catches a wave during the 2024 Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave invitational on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, on December 22, 2024.
    Image 5 of 8

    Hawaiian surfer Luke Shepardson catches a wave during the 2024 Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave invitational on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, on December 22, 2024. (BRIAN BIELMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

  • Hawaiian surfer Mark Healy (R) wipes out near other competitors during the 2024 Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave invitational on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, on December 22, 2024.
    Image 6 of 8

    Hawaiian surfer Mark Healy (R) wipes out near other competitors during the 2024 Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave invitational on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, on December 22, 2024. (BRIAN BIELMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

  • US surfer Bianca Valenti catches a wave during the 2024 Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave invitational on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, on December 22, 2024.
    Image 7 of 8

    US surfer Bianca Valenti catches a wave during the 2024 Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave invitational on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, on December 22, 2024. (BRIAN BIELMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

  • Hawaiian surfer Koa Rothman catches a wave during the 2024 Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave invitational on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, on December 22, 2024.
    Image 8 of 8

    Hawaiian surfer Koa Rothman catches a wave during the 2024 Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave invitational on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, on December 22, 2024. (BRIAN BIELMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

A High Surf Warning is in effect for Oahu's North Shore until 6 a.m. Hawaii time Monday. Waves between 40 and 50 feet were expected to peak around noon local time Sunday. 

Thousands of people gathered to watch the competition, where sunny skies and 80-degree temperatures ruled the day. 

"The Eddie" has happened only 11 times since its start in 1984, given the competition requires such large waves to happen, according to KHON2.

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