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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Vast waves attract Hawaii surfers | Vast waves attract Hawaii surfers |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A rare surfing competition has been held in Hawaii as waves reaching 12m (40ft) pounded the north shore of Oahu. | 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. | 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. | 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 2004. | The contest is only held in the most extreme surf conditions and last took place in 2004. |
| Nine times world champion Kelly Slater was the strongest starter, but first-time entrant Greg Long, 24, took a narrow lead over his older rival and won with a score of 323 to 313. | |
| The victorious Californian said it was "a dream come true" to take part in the "biggest event of big waves in the world". | |
| In comments posted on the event's website, Long said the camaraderie of the contest, known as the Eddie, "encapsulates everything that's great about surfing". | In comments posted on the event's website, Long said the camaraderie of the contest, known as the Eddie, "encapsulates everything that's great about surfing". |
| "It really is about the wave and celebrating the ocean. It's what we do: go out there and ride big waves." | "It really is about the wave and celebrating the ocean. It's what we do: go out there and ride big waves." |
| 'Dangerous waves' | 'Dangerous waves' |
| A total of 28 surfers were invited to take part in the event at Waimea Bay, chosen by a poll of the surfing community. | A total of 28 surfers were invited to take part in the event at Waimea Bay, chosen by a poll of the surfing community. |
| Spectators were on the beaches from the early hours to watch the event | Spectators were on the beaches from the early hours to watch the event |
| 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. | 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. |
| "We were all stoked out there, smiling, laughing and having a good time," said competitor Jamie O'Brien. | "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. | "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. |
| People have travelled from around the world to US state to watch the event. | People have travelled from around the world to US state to watch the event. |
| Malika Dudley of CBC News told the BBC people were lining cliff tops and had climbed trees to watch the vast waves. | Malika Dudley of CBC News told the BBC people were lining cliff tops and had climbed trees to watch the vast waves. |
| She said it was "unbelievably dangerous" to take part in the event - one surfer, Tom Carroll of Australia, had been injured - but that safety teams were in the water on jet skis in case of accidents. | She said it was "unbelievably dangerous" to take part in the event - 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 were expected to last until Wednesday. | The high waves were expected to last until Wednesday. |
| Are you in Oahu? Did you watch the Eddie Aikau surfing contest? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Oahu? Did you watch the Eddie Aikau surfing contest? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
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| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
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