Big wave fans streamed to the North Shore yesterday to catch a glimpse of its fabled surf spots. Many, like Walter and Barbara French of Verona, N.J., 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.

Along with an estimated crowd of more than 2,000, the couple watched the Reef Hawaiian Pro men's surfing contest under ideal conditions at Ali'i Beach Park in Hale'iwa.

Although the Frenches come to Hawai'i every five years for their wedding anniversary, it was the first time they'd ever seen the big waves or watched a Triple Crown competition. For Barbara it was pure excitement. For Walter, it was inviting.

"I do wish I was in there with a new surfboard," he said, as his wife stared at him with a horrified expression. "I'd like to try it, although I'm sure I wouldn't last a second. They'd have to carry me out."

Barbara, reminding her husband that he'd recently had knee surgery, nixed any hope he might have had of surfing giant North Shore waves.

"I don't mind throwing flowers on the ocean," she said. "But I don't want to be throwing any on his grave."

All in all, yesterday was a busy but safe day on the waves for lifeguards and beachgoers alike.

Today, waves of 8 to 12 feet are expected on the North Shore, said National Weather Service forecaster Tom Birchard.

That's below yesterday's high-surf advisory levels, but still big enough to be hazardous.

Birchard wasn't among those at the beach yesterday, but 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.

Lifeguards also posted warning signs on the beaches.

For the pros, the waves and weather conditions 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 day two of the Reef Hawaiian Pro event's 12-day 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 even offers a bonus for cautious travelers who fret about the current global economic meltdown: It doesn't cost a thing.

"There's no admission charge to watch these events," he said. "One thing we've noticed is that because everybody's tightening their belts and watching their pennies, they come to the North Shore because it's free."

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

"It's not like going to a football game where you have to buy tickets and popcorn. This is actually a cheap way to enjoy your vacation," he said.

Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city's Emergency Services Department, credited North Shore lifeguards with helping keep it a safe vacation for would-be visiting surfers.

North Shore lifeguards handed out some 500 verbal safety warnings, but conducted only one rescue yesterday — unusual for high-wave conditions, according to Cheplic.

At around 9 a.m., lifeguards rescued a bodyboarder in his 20s after he collided with a surfer at Pipeline, Cheplic said. Lifeguards brought the man to shore at Ehukai Beach Park, where paramedics treated his injuries. The man was then taken to an area trauma center in serious condition.

"Although it was a relatively mild day in terms of rescues, I strongly emphasize that people check with lifeguards before going into the ocean," said Cheplic, who added that ocean waters on the North Shore will be hazardous again today. He urged people to use caution and to heed warning signs.

Lee Patrick of Phoenix, Ariz., didn't need any coaxing. On the last day of her week-long Waikiki vacation, Patrick watched agile, seasoned surfers descend crashing walls of water at Sunset Beach from her sandy safety zone 50 yards from the water's edge.

"They don't have anything like this in Arizona," said Patrick, who shuddered at the thought of trying anything so thrilling herself. "I think people underestimate the power of these waves."

Likewise, veteran North Shore visitors Al and Karne Hibdon of Studio City in Southern California had no intention of challenging the big waves. After 36 years of visiting the North Shore, the couple said they were simply content to watch and enjoy the action from the sidelines.

"We've been coming here year after year after year," said Al, as he planted his folding chair in the sand. "My favorite part is here at Sunset Beach — right at sunset. You get some of the most spectacular sunset pictures you'll ever see."