A rare surfing competition has been held in Hawaii as waves reaching 12m (40ft) pounded the north shore of Oahu.

夏威夷瓦胡岛北海岸，高达12米的海浪拍击着沙滩，一场罕见的冲浪竞赛正在举行。

Champion US surfer Kelly Slater won the first day of the contest

Thousands of people have gathered on beaches and cliffs¹ to watch the world's greatest surfers tackle²处理，抓住 the waves.

It is only the eighth time in 25 years that the Eddie Aikau competition, named in honour of a celebrated³ Hawaiian surfer and lifeguard救生员, has taken place.

The contest is only held in the most extreme surf conditions and last took place in 2002.

"We were all stoked爽透 out there, smiling, laughing and having a good time," said competitor Jamie O'Brien.

"This is like a natural arena⁴竞技场，舞台 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 poll⁵ 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热度，高潮 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 jet⁶ 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.