Dec. 26--Lifeguards rescued a 20-year-old tourist from surf 6 to 12 feet high Wednesday near Shark's Cove on the North Shore.
The man wasn't breathing at one point and required cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but was revived while being brought to Waimea Bay on a sled pulled by a Jet Ski.
He was taken in critical condition to a hospital but was conscious.
The rescue was one of at least 14 on Oahu's North Shore on Wednesday, according to Emergency Medical Services.
"Christmas is definitely one of the busiest days of the year," EMS spokeswoman Shayne Enright said. "This surf is for the extremely experienced."
Enright said a combination of good weather and high surf attracted people to the beaches.
High-surf advisories continue through Friday morning with waves on the north and west shores of islands expected to increase today.
The National Weather Service predicts the face of waves to grow today to between 18 and 22 feet from Kahuku Point to Kaena Point and range from 8 to 12 feet from Kaena Point to Barbers Point.
But the surf is not expected to be high enough in Waimea Bay for the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau competition. Organizers said because the swells approach partly from the west, Niihau and Kauai are expected to block much of the energy, resulting in waves under 20 feet.
Enright said winter waves can build up suddenly in a place that seems calm and sweep people into the ocean. She said people should understand that if a beach area is wet, there is a good chance that large waves have washed through there recently.
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