SUNSET BEACH — Respect for waves and riders was the catchword yesterday as hundreds of tourists and residents watched the Xcel Pro surfing competition at Sunset Beach.

For many tourists, happening upon the surf meet was a lucky surprise on their trip to the North Shore or around the island. But they had heard about the forecast of big surf and wanted to see the ocean's spectacle. No one said they were disappointed.

Carl Bilbo and his daughter Rebecca, 10, were especially awed after being tumbled onto the beach and washed ashore by a set of waves at Waimea Bay, where they had hoped to swim and play. The experience made them decide to skip their swim and instead check out the surf meet at Sunset, said Bilbo, who is from Denmark but is working and living in Japan.

"It's amazing power when you're in there," Bilbo said. "But that was good. At least we have more respect for the power."

His family, including wife and son, were first-time visitors to the Islands and just learning about the sport from the announcer.

"For me, it's like a circus," said Bilbo's wife, Anne Qwist. "You see something artistic, and in a way, I think they must have some kind of death wish."

The waves were in the 6- to 8-feet range and uncooperative, said surfing legend Rabbit Kekai. Surfers had to work hard to make an impression on the judges, and many of the good surfers weren't able to make the cut, Kekai said. But the young upstarts are hungry and should put on a good show today, he said.

"(Tuesday) will go down to the finals," Kekai predicted. "It will be good, go to 12 feet."

Surfboard maker Joe Wells said the competition was good, with waves not too big and not too small. The only thing that could have made it better was the perfect swell that comes out of the northwest, he said.

"And no wind," Wells said. "Winds can kill the waves."

The swells are expected to improve by tomorrow, and Tiago Gil, 20, said he was looking forward to that. But for yesterday, he planned to surf later in the day even though he wasn't in the competition, Gil said.

"It might get better tonight," he said.

The wave heights weren't a disappointment to Mike and Betty O'Brien of Long Island, N.Y. The couple were looking for waves but found the competition instead.

"It was a happy accident," said Betty O'Brien. "We don't have waves like this or water this color."

The weather yesterday was picture-perfect for tourists. The sun was out, but the heat was not intense at about 84 degrees. Billowy clouds filled the blue sky, and the wind seemed more of a help to surf conditions, blowing offshore but at an angle.

Traffic moved smoothly along the North Shore, although it came to a crawl while passing Sunset Beach and other popular surf spots.

Ian Rotgans, a 23-year-old competitor from San Diego, said the surf conditions were good and that he'd be looking for the biggest and best wave across the reef to improve his standing in the meet.

"I'll be looking for a barrel if there is one," Rotgans said as he waited for his turn on shore.

Larry and Ellen Niehaus of Cincinnati said all the people with the big cameras made them want to stop and investigate. And the lure of the waves piqued their interest in the sport.

"I would get in," said Larry Niehaus, who said he is an experienced swimmer.

"We do want to try that, but not in waves like this," Ellen Niehaus said.

The competition brought back memories for Mike and Mira Mathia of Seattle. Originally from Southern California, Mike Mathia said he used to surf but wouldn't consider getting into the water at Sunset. He had a lot of respect for the surfers, Mathia said.

"I think they're pretty brave," he said. "It's pretty amazing."

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.