Mavericks is a world-renowned big wave break located one-half mile off the coast of Half Moon Bay, California. In 1975, Jeff Clark became the first person to ever surf Mavericks. Until 1990, he surfed there alone as no one else dared to tackle what is today considered one of the most challenging waves in the world. Many believe this 15 year solo effort to be one of the great feats in surfing history. According to top big-wave surfer and respected filmmaker Grant Washburn, "I think about that sometimes, and every time it's just amazing to me. I just can't imagine anyone having that kind of courage and commitment at a place so dangerous, when you're so alone."
By the early 1990s, word of Jeff's adventures began to spread. Since then Mavericks has moved into the foreground of modern big-wave surfing, attracting the most elite riders to test its limits each time it breaks. These riders are presented with waves as high as 50 feet, remarkably strong currents, dangerous rocks, shallow reefs, and frigid water temperatures. In summary, Mavericks is like no other place on the planet.

Each winter, during a waiting period typically set for sometime between December and March-- when conditions are just right and giant swells roll in from far across the Pacific--The Mavericks Surf Contest® comes to Half Moon Bay. On the call of Contest Director Jeff Clark, 24 of the world’s best big wave surfers will gather together to test themselves against the bone-chilling cold, ever-present dangers, and giant waves of Mavericks. Mother Nature's unexpected slumber in 2007, The Mavericks Surf Contest® returned at full force last winter, and lived up to expectations--sunny skies and the giant, unpredictable waves that are synonymous with Mavericks. Now, as winter again descends on the West Coast of California, we turn our attention back to the anticipation game.