Big wave fans streamed to the North Shore today to catch a glimpse of the fabled surf locations.

Many of them made it just in time for the kickoff of the first event of the North Shore's annual signature competition: The Triple Crown of Surfing.

An estimated crowd of more than 2,000 people watched the Reef Hawaiian Pro contest under ideal conditions at Ali'i Beach Park in Hale'iwa.

National Weather Service forecaster Tom Birchard wasn't among those at the beach, but he was able to watch the surf competition on a live Web feed.

"We've seen some 12- to 15-foot faces at the contest," he said. "The forecast is for 15- to 20-foot waves. But that may be a little on the high side judging from what I've seen."

Nevertheless, those waves were big enough for the weather service to issue a high-surf advisory.

For the pros, the waves were what Triple Crown promoter Randy Rarick described as "perfect" — at least throughout the morning.

Rarick said he was happy to get the Triple Crown off to an early start on only the second day of the first event holding period.

"Gorgeous conditions," he said. "The winds are great. Midday a light sea breeze came up and created a little chop. But otherwise, this is a great opening for the first stop on the Triple Crown."

Rarick said the world-famous surfing spectacle even offers a bonus for cautious travelers who fret about the current global economic meltdown: It's free.

"There's no admission charge to watch these events," he said.

Visitors have told him they can drive from Waikiki, spend a day at the beach watching top surfers compete for basically the cost of tank of gas.

"It's not like going to a football game where you have to buy tickets and popcorn. So this actually a cheap way to enjoy your vacation."

Meanwhile, city lifeguards are keeping a watchful eye on would-be surfers who want to brave the large waves, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services Department.

"We are asking even the most experienced surfers to check with lifeguards before entering the water," Cheplic said.

Less experienced surfers may want to take in the surfing contest — from the shore, Cheplic said. Novice surfers should avoid the water and wait for larger waves to subside, he said.

The high surf, generated by a major storm system far to the northwest of the state, is expected to peak later today.

Additional information on today's big surf can be found at www.hawaiibeachsafety.org.