Mavericks |
2021
2010
Shortly after we arrived at Mavericks we saw a small wave surge over
the breakwater.
The clowns in charge
of the contest had placed interlocked crowd control fencing at the foot
of the
bluff in a futile attempt to keep people from climbing the
bluff.
I soon determined I did not want to be standing in the
potential path of a wave, trapped in a crowd and fenced in.
I
lead the kids over the fence a few feet up the bluff minutes before
news was made.
Fortunately CJ was taking video with Robby's
camera, pointed in just the right direction, at just the right time.
After the first big
wave came through I decided to try to help.
I told the kids to
stay put on the bluff while I started disassembling and stacking the
fence sections that had ironically trapped people in the danger zone
and no doubt indirectly lead to injuries.
There were even several
sections of fence on the beach facing Mavericks.
I had visions of
fencing being dragged across the reef doing damage, or worse yet
dragged into the ocean, so I ventured out cautiously and brought back
the few remaining sections.
At some point I was on
the bluff watching the crowd
of stranglers wander in from the beach when second big wave
broke.
My feet were about 6 feet off the beach level and they got
wet.
This wave caused more injuries.
2004
Back when the contest
was called Men Who Ride Mountains.
Back when there were no clowns trying to keep people off their beach and out of their park during the contest.