'Biggest mavs ever!': Epic Calif. swell delivers historic surfing conditions

[usonian]

Last edited Wed Jan 1, 2025, 11:00 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/massive-calif-swell-delivers-day-days-19999962.php

By Lester Black, Cannabis editor
Dec 24, 2024

The massive swell that pummeled California’s coast Monday brought destruction and death, but it also created one of the best surf days in the history of Mavericks, the most famous big-wave surf spot in Northern California.

Frank Quirarte, a member of Mavericks Rescue with 30 years of experience at the legendary surf spot, told SFGATE it was one of the best days he has ever seen at Mavericks and estimated the waves reached over 60 feet at times.

“Today was the day of days,” said Quirarte. “It was raw, gnarly, just crazy Mavericks. It’s everything you would expect Mavericks to feel: Not sunny, not inviting.”


Monday’s swell attracted professional surfers from around the world along with local big-wave talent such as Luca Padua and Alo Slebir, who caught a barreling wave so massive, it left longtime Mavericks surfer Peter Mel commenting on Instagram that it was “the biggest mavs ever!”

Alo Slebir surfs a large wave at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Dec. 23, 2024.
Frank Quirarte


Alo Slebir surfs a large wave at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Dec. 23, 2024.
Frank Quirarte


Ryan Augenstein surfs a large wave at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Dec. 23, 2024.
Frank Quirarte


Lucas Fink surfs a large wave at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Dec. 23, 2024.
Frank Quirarte


Ryan Augenstein surfs a large wave at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Dec. 23, 2024.
Frank Quirarte



Matt Etxebarne Aguirregomezkorta foil surfs at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Dec. 23, 2024.
Frank Quirarte




Edit to add:
Credit to SfGate for the photos
I had to convert webp to jpeg for each one
So, getting the credits lined up with the photos was a chore.
But worth it. I think I got it right.
The photos and photographers are awesome.

But see the article anyway.