Large surf hit Maui's north shore Christmas Day, luring tow-in surfers as well as hundreds of people who made their way down to watch. At Jaws, some spectators arrived before dawn to claim prime positions for viewing the waves and riders.

There's a tradition with Christmas Day and big waves, said a spectator. "You get Christmas right here in front of you, plus surf and beautiful sun." About 20 tow-teams were at Jaws by mid-morning. Haiku resident Tim Siver, whose son Luke was among the surfers, estimated the surf at 35 to 40 feet at the wave faces. "This is medium-sized for Jaws," Siver said.

Earlier this month, when big waves also hit the north shore, Siver said another son, Levi, was surfing Jaws when he had both air vests blown off. Personal watercraft hit the rocks at the shoreline and were destroyed while trying to reach Levi, who managed to grab a personal watercraft to get out of danger at the last moment.