"People drowning in both water and tears..."

While tens of thousands of surf fans made the trek to Waimea Bay in order to witness the historic running of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, locals were shocked at the overall lack of traffic. The chaotic mess of last year’s Eddie wherein bumper to bumper traffic extended from Haleiwa all the way to Waimea but a vague memory.

Hawaii News Now reporters on the ground credited the smooth flow to county officials not allowing parking at Waimea, itself, and also the horror surf fan wipeout that left many wet and scared.

Watch here.

“City officials and community groups encouraged people to watch the competition from home and online,” the newscaster declared with the encouragement apparently working. Surf fans watching from home noticing thinner than usual crowds on the bluffs and beach of the iconic bay.

A man on vacation with his family and from Tennessee, however, needed to see the show in person so parked in Haleiwa and they all began the six mile march before thinking better of it, returning to their vehicle and trying to find a spot closer to the action. “We’re just trying to drive up, drop them off and then if I have to park the car three miles away and hike it I’ll do it. That’s fine. This is a once in a lifetime thing,” he shared.

Which brings up two important questions:

1. What is the farthest you have ever walked in order to watch a surfing competition?

2. What is the farthest you would theoretically walk?

More as the story develops.

The bay calls the day.

Green means go.

Lady and gentlemen surf fans, dig out your most comfortable surf-watching pants, throw the roast in the oven and otherwise clear Sunday’s schedule. For tomorrow The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational runs. Yes, the Bay has officially called the day and our heroes and heroines will paddle into morning glory.

It all gets underway at 8:00 am, Hawaii time, wherein contest organizers will peer over the horizon to make sure the promised swell has arrived.

The aforementioned lady and gentlemen surf fans who happen to be on Oahu and would like to watch from the cliffs can arrive at 4:00 am and park in Waimea Valley for the low, low cost of $50.

It will be The Eddie’s eleventh running.

I was on those cliffs watching myself during the eighth Eddie. The year was 2009, the day December 8th, and I was on Oahu’s North Shore malingering about. Word spread quickly that the contest was going to go and a palpable thrill hung heavy on that tropical air. I felt watching it would be silly and planned on spending the day in Honolulu, nursing a fine Mai Tai at the Royal Hawaiian. Alas, Stab’s Sam McIntosh was flying in and I picked him up from the airport. I told him that we would not be heading north but rather into town for Mai Tai’s as soon as his luggage had been secured. He gave me an odd look and gently asked if we could maybe try to catch the contest. I told him it was silly but wanted to be a good host so relented.

In retrospect, Sam was right and I was very glad to have witnessed the mayhem.

Live chat, here, tomorrow.