Shawn Dollar watches this wave break from the shoulder as surfers from around the world converged on the big wave surf spot known as Maverick’s, in Half Moon Bay, California for a day of gigantic wave riding on Saturday, December 20, 2014.
It’s the time of year when things typically go bat-shit-crazy in the surf world. The world’s best migrate to Hawaii for the start of the winter season yearning warm waters, big waves, and career defining contests. People plan their surf holidays to the Mentawais and other exotic locals. Giant purple blobs light up forecast maps in the North Atlantic, sending surf from the XXL spots along the European coast down to the Caribbean. California’s Central Coast comes alive, and along with it Maverick’s.
For the most part, the surf world focuses 99% of their attention on Hawaii. Understandable. If it’s not the Reef Hawaiian Pro, Vans World Cup of Surfing, or Billabong Pipe Masters, it could be XXL surf at Wiamea, or XXL on Maui at Jaws. Failing that the worlds best are putting on a clinic up and down the 7-mile stretch of reefs that make up the North Shore.
Every so often, the Islands are waiting on a new swell, or it’s raining and windy; the north Atlantic goes quiet; and at the same time, a Pacific NW storm dredges up ideal XXL conditions for Maverick’s here on the Mainland. Collectively we all hold our breath, and then the surf world pounces.
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- Spencer Pirdy regularly makes the trip to Maverick’s even after he’s traded his sponsor stickers for a desk at BL!SSS Magazine.
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- Garrett McNamara is known for pioneering spots such as Nazare in Portugal, and jetting home to Hawaii for XXL sessions at Jaws. Fresh off the plane in Hawaii, the latest surf report came in and he backtracked across the Pacific for Mav’s, and charged some of the biggest set waves of the day, jet lag and all.
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- An Italian big wave surfer, residing in Hawaii, charging the biggest waves in the California: Francisco Porcella.
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- Matt Becker sat deep and took the inside line on most waves this day.
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- A vintage, Hawaiian style party wave in the cold waters of Half Moon Bay, CA.
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- The girls of Maverick’s: Andrea Moller, Paige Alms, Bianca Valenti, and Keala Kennelly.
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- Nick Vaughan is charging onto the big wave surf scene in a very big way.
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- Billy Kemper was one of the many Hawaiian’s who jumped flights to Central California for the swell.
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- Tom Lowe (Ireland) and Andrea Moller (Brazil) were two of many surfers from around the world to converge on Maverick’s.
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- An unknown surfer races in front of a charging wall of water. Overhead another surfer wasn’t so lucky, but the rescue skis are waiting in ready.
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- Jetskis patrolling the lineup play a big part in rescuing surfers from dangerous, potentially life threatening situations, and played a big roll in ensuring all the surfer’s safety at Maverick’s.
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