Mavericks Surf Competition Today

When I was in high school in 1970, a girl friend and I would drive over the pass to the harbor on the coast, walk to the west side of the point and sit on the empty beach, play guitars, sit in the sun and just hang out. It was a long walk from the dirt parking lot to the beach, so we were often the only ones there. It was odd but once in a while a guy with a surf board would run past us to the end of the beach and disappear around the far point.

What I didn't know at that time is that there was a wave around that point at the end of that beach. A big wave. A world famous big wave.

It was just announced two days ago that Mavericks, the big wave competition, is on for today. It is by invitation only. Famous surfers from all over the world are in town right now, as the harbor is less than two miles north of us. It you have ever seen the movie, "Chasing Mavericks," you have seen the big waves. I remember when it was being filmed and the waves were big but not as big as expected during the competition today.

If you want to watch it, it is best to view it from home as it is a half mile off the coast, the bluffs above it are off limits so the expected crowds will pay to watch it on a big screen in the parking lot of a hotel at the harbor. To watch a live stream beginning at 8AM PST, go to www.mavericksinvitational.com

The crowds. A lot of people are due here in town today. The pass and the route along the coast will be like LA during rush hour. The problem? I have an appointment to check my thyroid with Dr. M. at 10:30AM in the city. To get there, I would usually drive right by the harbor as I head north. The plan? I will go around, over the pass then head north, which will add an additional 30-minutes to the hour driving time. The real problem will be trying to get home.

If you want to read about today's competition, here is this morning's article in the SF Chronicle: http://www.sfgate.com/sports/jenkins/article/Big-waves-lure-surfers-to-Mavericks-competition-5169941.php