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Surf eases but lifeguards
By Steve Murray
are still busy
Star-BulletinOahu lifeguards continued to be kept busy today, as the three-day swell that has lured surfers and bodyboarders to the south shore slowly dissipates.
Current conditions are generating waves between 2 and 4 feet and the swell is expected to last one more day. A smaller swell should arrive in Hawaii by Sunday, according to Capt. Edmund Pestana of the city's Ocean Safety Division.
Lifeguards had tallied 520 assists and 76 rescues in town since Sunday, he said this morning.
The amount of aid given was expected, but it hasn't been easy, he said.
"This is pretty normal for this kind of swell in Waikiki," Pestana said.
"Our patrols have been out all day without a lunch break."
Outside of Waikiki, lifeguards have focused more on prevention than helping downed surfers and bodyboarders.
At Sandy Beach, lifeguard Capt. Bruce Lee said lifeguards had rescued 5 to 10 people since the swell began, intervening early to keep inexperienced people from entering the water.
"The last thing we want to do is make a rescue," he said. Tourists and those lacking proper equipment are warned about the conditions and told not to go into the ocean.
The big waves that have been pounding the south shore not only have affected those entering the water but also forced the closing of the "Toilet Bowl" ledge at Hanauma Bay. "It's just too dangerous," Pestana said.
