The latest northwest swell did not produce expected monster surf yesterday but city lifeguards still made 12 rescues from Sunset Beach to Hale'iwa as eight- to 12-foot waves occasionally kicked up to 15 feet.

"The surf never got as big as anticipated," said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city's emergency services department. "But it's what lifeguards call 'deceptively dangerous.' The water was very beautiful and the water was very inviting with long lulls in between sets. For the novice surfer looking out on the ocean, it looks like it's small and flat and brings a false sense of security. But if you wait 10, 20 minutes eventually a big set comes in."

The National Weather Service forecasted North Shore waves up to 20 feet to 25 feet yesterday, rising to 25 feet to 30 feet late last night.

The latest forecast for today also calls for 20- to 25-foot waves along the North Shore.