**A rare surfing competition has been held in Hawaii as waves reaching 12m (40ft) pounded the north shore of Oahu.**Thousands of people have gathered on beaches and cliffs to watch the world’s greatest surfers tackle the waves.
It is only the eighth time in 25 years that the Eddie Aikau competition, named in honour of a celebrated Hawaiian surfer and lifeguard, has taken place.
The contest is only held in the most extreme surf conditions and last took place in 2002.
“We were all stoked out there, smiling, laughing and having a good time,” said competitor Jamie O’Brien.
“This is like a natural arena out here for this and it’s amazing to be a part of it,” he told the Honolulu Advertiser.
‘Dangerous waves’
A total of 28 surfers are invited to take part in the event at Waimea Bay, chosen by a poll of the surfing community.
Organisers had been watching weather and wave conditions in the seas around the US state and announced early on Tuesday morning local time that the competition would run.
The first day’s heats were won by nine times world champion Kelly Slater.
Meanwhile, people have travelled from around the world to US state to watch the event.
Malika Dudley of CBC News told the BBC said people were on the cliffs and climbing trees to watch the vast waves.
She said it was “unbelievable dangerous” to take part in the event and one surfer, Tom Carroll of Australia, had been injured, but that safety teams were in the water on jet skis in case of accidents.
The high waves are expected to last until Wednesday and US weather officials have said they could get even higher.