Winter storms violently struck California's northern coast last week, but that didn't stop surfers from riding swells as high as 50 feet at Mavericks, a legendary big-wave break north of Half Moon Bay.
"These are some of the biggest waves I've seen at Mavericks in three years, and yesterday I caught what was probably a 25ft wave," professional big-wave surfer Travis Payne told The Guardian, "El Nino is a double-edged sword for surfers: it brings more storms, brings the storms closer to us and big waves. But it can also bring the wrong kind of winds, which can be dangerous."
Garrett McNamara, who holds the current record for biggest wave ever ridden at 72 ft., left the beach in an ambulance after falling off his board near the crest of a massive wave. He broke his upper left arm and underwent shoulder surgery on Friday.
"This one was just really nasty by how mean and radical Mother Nature was that day," fellow pro Nic Vaughan told San Jose Mercury News, "You have a potential to die on a day like that."
World-class surfers had gathered there to compete in the upcoming Titans of Mavericks competition. The event is highly exclusive; only 22 competitors, five alternates, and two wild cards are selected by a committee of five and invited to compete. The official website describes the event as "the most risk-oriented event in North America."
Because surfing depends so heavily on the weather, the competition may take place any time between Nov. 1 and March 31. "It comes down to following the weather for three or four days," said organizer Jeff Clark, according to ABC News. "Then it gets down to two days out, and then we make the call." While the waves are big, conditions continue to be too dangerous to hold the competition.
