Layla Maynard: Enormous Waves in Hawaii Turn Pro Surfers into Heroes

Summary: Hawaii has recently been struck with enormous waves thanks to El Nino. Waves are getting so big, Hawaii local Sarah Whitey was pushing her child in a stroller on a sidewalk near the beach when a wave cam crashing down on them and swept them out to sea. Pro surfer Kelly Slater then jumped into the water to grab the toddlers' stroller and pull Whitey out. The husband said his family was "a little shaken, but doing great considering."

Analysis: A lot of Hawaiians I think get used to the beach and seeing big waves but forget how dangerous they can be. The fact that a woman on a sidewalk off the beach was affected so greatly by a wave is, hopefully, really eye opening Hawaiians. Though it's unfortunate their lives were almost lost, it's good to read stories like this to help remind others to really be cautious and aware. I also wonder what other affects El Nino will have on the rest of the water this year, being that waves this monstrous aren't usually common around this time of year in Hawaii.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/31/sport/hawaii-waimea-surf-wipeout/index.html