It's the first big swell of the winter season.

And for the second day in a row, lifeguards were kept busy on Oahu's North Shore.

Weather service officials say wave faces on the North Shore today were in the 12 to 15 foot range.

Folks were warned to stay out of the water, but that didn't stop many surfers from getting in on the action.

Monster waves.

"It's awesome."

Monster traffic.

"I been here since 10:30 this morning and the traffic non-stop back to back all day long," said Tim Labrador, Roadside Vendor.

Welcome to the world famous Sunset Beach, for the first big swell of the season.

"I'm just stoked that there's finally waves," said surfer Justin Pirtle.

"We've watched this at home on the television so it's all real to us now and it's amazing," said Julie Brown, visitor from England.

"I surf a little bit but this is a bit too big for me but it's pretty cool," said Karl Price, visitor from Australia.

Lots of spectators.

"It's pretty much a scene or circus as they say," said Pirtle.

Watching is one thing.

"Quite amazing to see these guys take off on these huge waves," said Elizabeth Price, visitor from Australia.

Participating is another.

"That was good preventative action. He would've been our next rescue for sure."

This man wanted to go snorkeling in these treacherous conditions.

Ocean safety officials say between Sunday and Monday, lifeguards on Oahu's North Shore performed 18 rescues, and issued 1400 warnings.

Surfers and spectators aren't the only ones stoked about the first big swell.

Businesses are too.

It's been extra busy at Kua 'Aina Sandwich Shop in Haleiwa.

"The swell comes in and everyone goes surfing and then after surfing they're all hungry so they come here," said Justin Curry of Kua 'Aina Sandwich Shop.

The swell peaked Monday afternoon.

"Hoping conditions will stay the same size will come down a little bit," said Pirtle.

This is only the beginning of the winter surfing season.

"This is what we were waiting for all summer long," said surfer Sagi Asiskovich.

Lifeguards are asking people to check with them before going into the waters of the North Shore tomorrow and into Wednesday.