Hawaiian lifeguards implore surfers with eyes bigger than stomachs to stay out of the water as apocalyptic swell heads toward islands: “if you’re going to beaches that are unguarded and you get into trouble it might take us a second to get there.”

When the wave is here, don't be here.

An apocalyptic swell is headed toward the Hawaiian islands, one that Surfline would describe as “the swell of the century.” Big, huge, potentially record breaking or at least tying and all during these unprecedented Covid times wherein Hawaii’s lifeguard department has been decimated by either infection or “close contact” with infection.

A perfect storm.

Yesterday, Honolulu Ocean Safety Chief John Titchen addressed the situation, telling KHON news, “Just like every employer, we do have a number of workers who are out right now because of COVID. We carefully monitor that. We have some people who come back in and leave, either for isolation or quarantine, or any other reason associated with COVID. We don’t anticipate shortages right now for the north shore and the leeward coast, and what we will do is if we end up needing to move personnel around or resources around, we will ensure we have mobile units covering these areas.”

These mobile unites cannot be all places at once, though, so the North Shore lifeguard lieutenant also implored surfers with eyes bigger than stomachs and all VALs to either not surf or paddle out at Pipeline or Waimea, telling the station, “That’s why we’re stressing for people to go to lifeguarded beaches because our mobile units are stressed with low staff. So, if you’re going to beaches that are unguarded and you get into trouble it might take us a second to get there. The best tip is to go to beaches like Pipeline, Sunset and Waimea where we have guarded towers that are staffed.”

Well?

Are you ready for either Pipeline or Waimea?

Destiny calls but, please, only paddle between 9am and 5:30pm.

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LETITBEME
LETITBEME
4 years ago

Clicked on an article about waves couldn’t make it through all the flcovid blah blah blah

Dennis Mullin
Dennis Mullin
4 years ago

Well,” All the ” Pro’s are great athletes & some, will go out in anything& have a great time, because the” Ocean is their Backyard” all the” Lookie- Lou’s ” stay Watching, as this is seriously very dangerous to the beginner or even advanced surfers.If you can’t ” Hold your great for 2 minutes,” Whilst being ” wash cycled rag dolled…best get binoculars& watch the show!”

Gwen Walz’s Eyes
Gwen Walz’s Eyes
4 years ago

light and variable winds in morning. Maui glass?

KRIS
KRIS
4 years ago

… ” yeah, but dead inside”

JOB's second chin
JOB's second chin
4 years ago

I’m going to Waimea for the free colonics.

J H
J H
4 years ago

Why isn’t an Eddie being discussed if the swell is historic?

J H
J H
4 years ago
Reply to  J H

Just looked…Pipe is forecast to be 24ft on Thursday.

That HAS to have Eddie potential, right?

Derek Hynd's Missing Fins
Derek Hynd's Missing Fins
4 years ago
Reply to  J H

24 foot is really 50 foot Pipe? Does it even get that big? Hope winds are favorable so the Eddie can run.

J H
J H
4 years ago

The outer reefs and Waimea are the only things that can hold that kind of size.

Fingers crossed for an Eddie.

Now…if I can just figure out a way to go watch…

TJBurke
TJBurke
4 years ago
Reply to  J H

I was lucky and got to watch it from the Fire Dept. mid 90s. Clyde was in 1st place after the morning – taking off left but then they cancel it when the wave dropped below 40 ft for the afternoon session. Was thrilling to see from there, tho.

J H
J H
4 years ago
Reply to  TJBurke

That sounds awesome.

In 2016 I left Oahu two days prior to head to Hong Kong for work. I seriously contemplated heading back just to watch it couldn’t figure out the flights.

It still remains high on my bucket list.

Ricky Spanish
Ricky Spanish
4 years ago

But where will Zuckerberg surf?

John Non John
John Non John
4 years ago
Reply to  Ricky Spanish

Wherever Kai takes him

Occ Topus
Occ Topus
4 years ago
Reply to  Ricky Spanish

On the internet. Where else?

Ricky Spanish
Ricky Spanish
4 years ago
Reply to  Occ Topus

Set ya up for that one

Dennis Mullin
Dennis Mullin
4 years ago
Reply to  Ricky Spanish

Heard he,” Meta” the bottom at” Pipeline” and is in” Pipeline jail for another 40 seconds…about then” he’llhave met”the Rocky bottom Horror show”..

Sean Connery
Sean Connery
4 years ago

I prefer to play golf on hyped swells

Snowbored
Snowbored
4 years ago

Usually my problem with my eyes being bigger than my stomach is at Teds Bakery.

J H
J H
4 years ago
Reply to  Snowbored

Closed last week because of the “Rona.

Hopefully it’s open in February I NEED the chocolate haupia pie.

Snowbored
Snowbored
4 years ago
Reply to  J H

God damnit. I arrive next week. Might cancel.

J H
J H
4 years ago
Reply to  Snowbored

Instagram page says that they are closed until the 20th and supposedly they aren’t doing wholesale, either.

So you can’t even get their pie at Foodland.

Not sure what other places you frequent but I know that the Pig and the Lady has also had staffing issues.

But last year Haliewa felt like its own Covid free bubble and things seemed normal sans the Japanese tourists, that is.

"Helmets... Period."
"Helmets... Period."
4 years ago

With the erosion at Rocky’s getting worse and the state finally starting to crack down on the erosion “burritos” this storm could do some real damage. It’ll at least be nice to have that part of Kam Highway oceanfront when all those houses are washed away

Urchin Sepsis
Urchin Sepsis
4 years ago

So you’re saying the burritos are getting downvoted?
Did they yank Kuntface Kelly’s, or do the rules not apply to him as usual.

c4
c4
4 years ago

I was going to surf at Turtle Bay but I guess now it’s Waimea.

Derek Hynd's Missing Fins
Derek Hynd's Missing Fins
4 years ago
Reply to  c4

Shark’s Cove with the other clueless tourists?
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.c…

c4
c4
4 years ago

After my surf session I’ll stop by there for some selfies and then stick my face in a blowhole.

cabra56
cabra56
4 years ago

we need people to die and leave this earth. specially stupid people.

Derek Hynd's Missing Fins
Derek Hynd's Missing Fins
4 years ago
Reply to  cabra56

Anti vaxxers are working on that for you in real time.

snapper
snapper
4 years ago
Reply to  c4

Was going to snorkel Hanauma…. guess now I’ll womp Keiki’s.


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