Oahu HI North Shore Waimea Bay Wave Watching Seascape Art

by Reid Callaway

Title

Oahu HI North Shore Waimea Bay Wave Watching Seascape Art

Artist

Reid Callaway

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Oahu HI Waimea Bay Wave Watching....by Reid Callaway
North Shore Hawaii Seascape Art

The first of the big waves began hitting the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii in Waimea Bay in January 2021. People were crowded all around the bay to see the huge 35'-40' waves crash the shoreline and to see the brave surfers make their mark along this famous stretch of beach. Enjoy!

Waimea Bay is located in Haleiwa on the North Shore of O'ahu in the Hawaiian Islands at the mouth of the Waimea River. Waimea Valley extends behind Waimea Bay. Waimea means "reddish water" in Hawaiian

In winter, Waimea and other North Shore locations such as Pipeline and Sunset Beach host a number of surfing contests because of the large waves found here. These waves are created by winter storms in the North Pacific, and their arrival on O'ahu's North Shore are typically forecast accurately several days in advance. In summer, Waimea typically has clear and calm water.
The surf break at Waimea Bay was significant in the development of Big wave surfing. Larger surf at the bay went unridden for years until November 7, 1957 when a handful of surfers finally paddled out and rode the giant waves that break off the northern point of the bay. While the surf only breaks big several times a year, Waimea was the most prestigious big wave surf break in the world for decades. With the advent of tow-in surfing, more and more big wave breaks have been discovered that are far superior in quality to Waimea. However, the bay still holds a significant place even in today's world of big wave surfing.

The Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau takes place in Waimea Bay to honor the legendary surfer and the first lifeguard of the North Shore of Oahu. Since its inception in 1984, the tournament has only been held nine times, due to a precondition that open-ocean swells reach a minimum height of 20 feet (6.1 m) before the competition can be held. Open-ocean swells of this height generally translate to wave faces in the bay of 30 feet (9.1 m) to 40 feet (12 m). The most recent tournament was in February 2016.
On January 28, 1998, Hawaii issued its first ever "condition black" legally closing all North Shore beaches including Waimea bay. The Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau was canceled due to above average behemoth surf.

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January 18th, 2021

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