50-Foot-High Wave Faces Trigger the "Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational" in Hawaii

Tension is high on Hawaii's North Shore, where surfers and spectators are waiting to see if the surf is right for the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. The contest  held in memory of the legendary Oahu lifeguard and surfer, Eddie Aikau, is only a go when the wave backs measure 20-feet-high, making the wave faces some 40-feet-high.  The invitational surfing competition was last held about five years ago, so invited surfers are hanging on the edge to see if tomorrow will be the day.

 During the weekend, the National Weather Services reported that the swell will build and continue for Tuesday and even Wednesday with open ocean swell heights exceeding over 22 feet.  The word is the wave faces might even reach 50-feet along the North Shore.

For the latest on the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational and a photo of a lone surfer warming up for the contest on a 20-foot wave, read  "High surf to thrill while safety is urged" by Susan Essoyan.

For updates and videos of the world's top surfers in the contest, visit the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau.