The 25-foot waves expected today on O'ahu's North Shore didn't materialize, but people still found plenty of reason to head for the country.

At midday, wave faces were in the 18- to 20-foot range and were expected to continue through today and tonight, the National Weather Service said.

And though the weather service had downgraded a high surf warning for O'ahu, forecasters urged the public to use caution.

"Even though it's not a warning, it's still an advisory, so dangerous currents are still a problem," said forecaster Chris Brenchley.

"Unless they are extremely experienced, people need to avoid going in the water," Brenchley said.,

The morning's sunny, breezy skies gave way to occasionally heavy rain in the afternoon.

Still, there was a steady stream of vehicles from Hale'iwa to Sunset Beach as motorists tried to catch a glimpse of the waves or the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing, part of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

Sunset Beach, where the competition was taking place, boasted a couple of thousand spectators.

By 3:30 p.m., strong winds had turned the surf choppy and the contest was called for the day. It is expected to resume tomorrow.