WATER SPORTS -- The waves are rising to the occasion of an almost-annual event in Hawaii.

Surfers are catching massive waves this week on Oahu's North Shore. Organizers of the big wave surfing contest known as "The Eddie" say Waimea Bay's waves aren't consistently large enough to hold the event. But this year it's a go, and too timing if there there even just as a spectator.

The contest in memory of legendary Hawaiian surfer Eddie Aikau is held only when waves are at least 20 feet. 

The event has been held only eight times since it was founded in 1984.