Half Moon Bay, California, United States of America
Mavericks place in surfing history is the point were real big wave surfing spread beyond Hawaii. Mavericks defining quality is that it holds a perfect barrel at incomprehensibly huge size. The shape allows it to be one of the biggest waves on earth that can be paddled into.
Mavericks is an A-frame wave breaking on a rock formation roughly 3km offshore. The left is a more intense drop and a shorter ride. Most surfers aim for the right. The take-off is a hollow pitching affair in front of a boulder formation known as The Boneyard. This leads into a mammoth sized barrel and wall, then safety in the deep water channel.
The deep water channel allows boats to manoeuvre close enough to the wave for history making surf photography and spectating. Surfers report that seeing the wave from this angle (without even contemplating entering the water) is a life defining moment. Spectating from the Harbour wall or the Cliffs under the Air force facility overlooking Mavericks is also popular.
Mavericks is in northern California. The water is cold, very cold and the break is surfed in winter. It starts breaking at around 12ft and will not close out even when the swell tops 30ft. November to March is when the world’s big wave crazies are in town.
(Image from Wikipedia)
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