Elite surfers scramble to California coast to catch 50-foot waves at Mavericks
Expert surfers are racing to California's Mavericks for massive waves nearing 50 feet tall arriving Saturday.
Elite big-wave surfers are rearranging their lives to reach Mavericks. This is a legendary surf spot south of San Francisco.
A massive Pacific swell is heading for California after word spread through their community. The waves are expected to reach nearly 50 feet tall.
They will arrive in a narrow window between two storm systems. Surfers are scrambling to book gear.
They are chartering flights and arranging jet skis. Jet skis are used to tow surfers into waves so massive that paddling alone is impossible.
French surfer Clément Roseyro grabbed three boards. He flew from Biarritz early Friday to make Saturday's window.
San Francisco-based surfer Bianca Valenti planned to drive to the break Saturday morning. Experts warned ordinary beachgoers to stay away.
Back-to-back storms bring California's first widespread rain of the season. Flooding and wind warnings are in place.
- nearly 50 feet tall
- Wave height
- 20 miles south of San Francisco
- Mavericks location
- Biarritz, southern France
- Roseyro origin
- 200-plus horsepower
- Jet ski power
Why it mattersBig-wave surfing is one of the most dangerous extreme sports, and this rare swell event draws athletes from around the world willing to travel thousands of kilometres.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, though several Australian big-wave surfers may be among those attempting to reach Mavericks for the event.
