Mavericks

 invisible, tourist attraction

For 15 years this was the ultimate locals-only surf spot on the west coast, in that the one and only dude who ever surfed the big ones was local shaper maker Jeff Clark.

No one outside of Half Moon Bay had ever heard of this place. Clark finally shared his secret with Dave Schmidt and Tom Powers, who came down from SF on a big day, 22 January 1990. Word got around.

Winter storm swells from the north Pacific, which will really pound the North Shore, don't have much effect here because of interference of the Farallon Islands. The swell must be from more to the west to hit the seabed just right. Waves sometimes crest at over 25 feet and 50+ foot faces have been ridden. The break is caused by a deep water reef which breaks the surface at Sail Rock. Where the biggest waves are caught it is usually about 18 or 20 feet deep.
Mavericks is a destination for some of the world's premier big wave surfers. Very few riders become big wave surfers, and of those, only a select few are willing to risk the hazardous conditions at Mavericks. An invitation-only contest is held there every few winters, depending on wave conditions.

One of the most contentious issues along the Central California Coast has been the use of personalized watercraft at big-wave surf spots. Under new NOAA rules which take effect in mid-March of 2009, these noisy vehicles will be banned at Steamer Lane, Ghost Tree, and the Moss Landing jetty in Monterey Bay. (Exceptions will be made for lifeguards and others rescuing troubled surfers.)
Marine Sanctuary officials have agreed to a compromise for big-wave riders (many of whom fly in from around the globe on short notice) who match their skills against the giant waves at Mavericks.
The new rules expand the definition of motorized personal watercraft to ban the larger (2 or more riders) vehicles everywhere but outside the mouth of four harbors within the sanctuary and at Mavericks.

At Mavericks they can be used for tow-in surfing only during the few days in December, January and February when the National Weather Service issues high surf advisories.

The Surfrider Foundation, which advocates for both ocean protections and surfers' rights, has wrestled with this issue for years, with dissent even among factions of its membership.

Photo of Tyler Smith was made by Marcio Jose Sanchez during the 2006 Mavericks Surf Contest.
Right hand photo, by Robert Brown, shows Greg Long a moment before a wipe-out which nearly killed him in November 2008.