Mavericks

Saw a news story that the waves are the largest in years for that area. Great conditions! Do they only break high in a narrow area? I ask because the boaters look quite un-worried about being caught up in them and flipped.
 
here's a diagram of why the waves concentrate there

Boats can keep out of it fairly easily. That said, I've not been over there in a boat.
Couple years ago a rogue wave took out some spectators on the shore, so that's no longer allowed. Its hard to see form the shore (except the point where no one is allowed).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mavericks_wave_diagram.gif

if the video is still up on this site, you get a good picture of where the waves break and here the boats are. People aren't allowed out on that point

http://mavericksinvitational.com/
 
I was such a wimp in HS. I only surfed Santa Cruz.
 
Thanks getakey. I figured the boaters weren't crazy. Those surfers on the other hand ..... NUTS! I used to surf at Narragansett Beach, RI several years ago, ... but nothing that got as large as those at Mavericks. I wouldn't even want to go in the water on a calm day near the central or northern Cal coast. Too many big smiley fishies in those waters for my nerves.

Quint_zps6165e1b9.jpg
 
I stopped in Pillar point many times. The Channel enters from the south end of the cove and goes northward inside a breakwater submerged at high tide. It is indeed strange to see waves breaking just north of the channel but both there and steamer lane in Santa Cruz the current, seems to circle out of these little coves with the resulting outflow concentrated against cliffs and the wind waves on the north side only.
Santa Cruz and Mavericks are great place to watch surf contests.
 
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