Half Moon Bay is located at approximately 25 miles south of San Francisco, 10 miles (16 km) west of San Mateo, and 45 miles (72 km) north of Santa Cruz and is home of one of the premiere Big Wave surf spots Mavericks> I arrived in Half Moon Bay after driving up from Malibu January 5th at about sunset and was greeted with open arms from just about every person that I talked with.
A long, sloping ramp leads up to the surface under the wavebreak. The presence of this ramp slows the propagation of the wave over it. The wave over the deep water troughs on each side of the ramp continues at full speed forming two angles in the wavefront centered over each of the boundaries between the ramp and the two troughs. The result of this is a U-shaped or V-shaped wavefront on the ramp that contains the wave energy from the full width of the ramp. This U-shaped or V-shaped wave then collapses into a small area at the top center of the ramp with tremendous force which makes Mavericks one of the biggest waves on earth!
Surfline "RIP Sean Collins" does a tremendous job with forecasting wave highest and swell directions helping surfers from all over the globe>
Here is what the bowl at Mavericks looks like> Photo Powerlines
Here is friend and prior Big Wave World Tour Champ Carlos Burle taking off deep>
Photo Powerlines
Being it was my first time to Half Moon Bay and surfing Mavericks I was adamant about paddling out from the shore even though the boys offered me a ride, I just wanted to soak up the entire experience first hand> Me doing a interview with Fox News before making the 45 minute paddle out...
Opening Ceremony for the Mavericks Big Wave Invitational
Carlos Burle "Legend"
Super honored to have been invited to the Mavericks Big Wave opening ceremony and hanging out with the Mavericks crew> Thanks to my friend Jamie Sterling for hooking it up!
After party was lots off fun, thanks "Jeff Clark" for the great food, open bar and good times hanging with the boys.
Look forward returning to Half Moon Bay and being able to surf Mavericks again.
Aloha Reno Makani
