Lifeguards Rescue 12 As North Shore Pumps

Ryan Brower

• December 05 2008
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There’s sure to be more rescues soon enough when the North Shore is producing like this. Photo Bielmann/SPL

As reported by Leila Fujimori for The Star Bulletin.

Ten-year-old Kylie Nagy was bodyboarding at Waimea Bay when the current pulled her about 200 feet offshore and far from other bodyboarders. A lifeguard assisted Nagy back to shore, with her disapproving parents looking on.

“Very scary,” said the Sunset Beach Elementary School student. The biggest waves she has ridden were 4 feet, and she was caught in 5- to 6-foot waves.

“We live here and she should know better,” Kylie’s mother said.

They realized their daughter had gone into the big surf when a lifeguard made the announcement 15 minutes before she was brought to shore, her mother said.

Kylie insists, “I told my parents.”

Lifeguards made 12 rescues, eight using rescue craft, and took 1,200 preventive actions yesterday because of high surf, Department of Emergency Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic said.

A high-surf warning was in effect yesterday on the northern and western shores of Niihau, Kauai and Oahu and will remain in effect until 6 p.m. today.

The National Weather Service reported surf was 15 to 20 feet early yesterday, and it had been expected to hit 20 to 25 feet by midday yesterday and grow to 25 to 30 feet through today.

Cheplic said waves were not as high as expected and were running 8 to 10 feet with occasional 12-foot sets and prolonged periods between sets that were deceptively dangerous.

About 30 surfers were at Waimea Bay at midafternoon yesterday before the opening ceremony of the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf meet, which could take place today. Dozens of bodyboarders, bodysurfers and surfers caught the shore break.

For the full article head to The Star Bulletin.