Sunrise, a rainbow and light rains coalesce at Ehukai Beach Park on Wednesday. A high-surf warning was in effect for Oahu’s North Shore, which was just fine with competitors in the Billabong Pipeline Masters surfing competition.

Hundreds of people gather along the beach, attracted by the prospect of elite surfers challenging 20-foot swells that had cautious organizers wondering if the show should go on.

Whipped up by offshore breezes, the Banzai Pipeline puts on a winter-like performance on the first day of the final leg of the 2015 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

A Jet Ski complete with videographer dodges a large shore break.

In case it wasn’t obvious, lifeguards placed signs warning visitors of the hazardous conditions that precluded swimming.

A Pipeline Masters competitor free-falls after slipping off his surf board.

An errant surge sends beachgoers scrambling for drier perches.

Jack Robinson rips through a wave on his way to a first-day victory in the competition.

Spectators take cover from light showers during the day’s final heat.

The conditions were welcoming only to elite surfers, and even they were often at the mercy of the waves.