S.F. Bay Area — No. California
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay Attractions
Mavericks Surf Contest
— Saturday, February 13, 2010

Congrats Chris Bertish!
Mavericks Surf Contest Winner

Mavericks Surf Contest 2010 Winners
1. Chris Bertish (South Africa)
2. Shane Desmond (Santa Cruz)
3. Anthony Tashnick
4. Dave Wassell
5. Carlos Burle
6. Kenny Collins

Mavericks Surf Contest took place on Saturday, Feburary 13, 2010 starting at 7:50am in Half Moon Bay, CA. Over 20,000 spectators gathered on the beach and hillsides trying to get a view of the competition. And almost 50,000 people watched the contest live on Ustream.

Biggest Waves Ever!
Giant waves reached 50+ feet (that's five stories high) — the biggest ever for a Mavericks Surf Contest! They were dangerous too. A combination of huge rogue waves and high tide swept several hundred spectators off their feet and injured at least 15 — the most serious injuries involved broken bones.

Watch YouTube video to see Mavericks' massive waves and spectator injuries

Mavericks Surfing
Pillar Point
Princeton-by-the-Sea
near Half Moon Bay, CA

Best "Big Wave" Surfing Spot
Mavericks is one of the world's best "big wave" surfing spots — famous for its huge waves (40-50 feet) and popular with surfers the world over.

Mavericks Surf Contest draws over 50,000 spectators and millions of TV and internet viewers from around the globe. Its famous "big waves" break about one mile off-shore in Princeton-by-the Sea.

It's a fun place to watch from afar as the surfers compete — be prepared to arrive very early and climb steep cliffs, bluffs and embankments to get a better view. And don't forget to bring your binoculars. Be prepared to pay for parking and shuttle service.

Be careful — rogue waves injured 15 spectators on the beach during the 2010 Mavericks Surf Contest, causing serious injuries involving broken bones :(

Note: You'll probably get a better view if you watch the competition via LIVE webcast on your computer screen.

If you can't be there to see the Mavericks Surf Contest in person, watch it from the best seat in the house — Mavericks Surf Contest via live webcast.

How Mavericks Got Its Name
In the 1960's, surfer Alex Matienzo paddled out to ride the summer waves near the reef. Maverick, his German Shepherd, who seemed to have an affinity to cold salt water, paddled out alongside him. Alex, fearing for his dog's safety in the turbulent swells, took Maverick back to his car. Since then, the dog's name stuck to the site.

Directions to Maverick's
and Pillar Point Marsh
Mavericks is located just south of Pillar Point, near Half Moon Bay.

Take Highway 1 north of Half Moon Bay about 4 miles. Turn left on Capistrano Road at the traffic light, past Pillar Point Harbor. Continue past the harbor entrance to Prospect Way and turn left. Turn left on Prospect Way. Drive west on Harvard Avenue until it merges onto West Point Avenue. Follow West Point up the hill to the small, unmarked parking lot.

Park in the Pillar Point Marsh lot and hike about one mile uphill, along the sandy footpath to the isolated viewing area on the bluffs.

"Ghost Tree" Monster Waves
December 4, 2007 was a very significant surfing day at "Ghost Tree" in Monterey, California. The mammoth surf break featured monster waves (70+ feet) - the highest ever surfed in Monterey County.

Watch a Spectacular Video of the Big Wave Surfing in Monterey

Mavericks Contest History
2010 — Huge 50-ft. waves and spectator injuries. Mavericks Surf Contest took place on Saturday, February 13th. South African winner, Chris Bertish, won the $50,000 top prize.

2009 — During the Spring 2009 Season, Mavericks Surf Contest was cancelled due to small waves.

2008 — Mavericks Surf Contest took place on January 12th.

2007 — The first week of December 2007 will go down as "one of the best weeks ever" for surfing in Northern California.

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