Rogues and Mavericks
In a weekend ruled by sports (from the Olympics to Pebble Beach to the America’s Cup [which is coming back to the Bay Area!]), more than 36 spectators at Mavericks, in Princeton-by-the-Sea, learned about the power of rogue waves yesterday. Three fans were hospitalized with apparent fractures and others were drenched and bloodied.
During high tide at around 10 AM, one wave swept eight feet over the jetty and onto a group of onlookers. The wave flushed fans, small children and pets back 40 feet into an area of large rocks and metal partitions. Of those swept from the seawall, 13 people suffered significant injuries, which included broken legs and hands, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Battalion Chief Scott Jalbert. One spectator reported seeing three large waves, loudspeakers falling down, and kids being swept by. The public address system was disabled and scaffolding and the awards ceremony platform were destroyed.
Around 70 paramedics and law enforcement officers ordered fans from the beach. The badly damaged structure for the awards ceremony was dismantled by workers. Contest winners were announced at the Oceana Hotel and Spa in Princeton, instead.
About 20,000 spectators showed up to watch the world-class surfers and the 40-50-foot waves about 1/2 mile from the beach and bluffs. Others watched the event on closed-circuit TV.
The winner of the 2010 Mavericks Surf Contest is Chris Bertish of South Africa. In second place was Shane Desmond of Santa Cruz. The top 6 are listed here.
Numerous signs in the area state, “DANGER. Hazardous natural conditions. Proceed at your own risk.”
Adults, it is one thing to assume such risks for yourselves. Please consider the possible danger to children in your care. Rogue waves are occasionally fatal along California’s coast.
-Bill at
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