This is the first year Mavericks is part of the World Surf League’s Big Wave Tour. A former Air Force member who fought in Desert Storm, he likes to say, “you’re definitely going to war when you go into these big-wave sessions.” Quirarte has been both photographing and rescuing Mavericks surfers for the past 21 years at the big wave ?competition near Half Moon Bay. And once the conditions are just right, depending on a confluence of weather, tides and waves - the call is made and everyone has 72 hours to make it to the break and vie for the $130,000 purse. The competition window is laid out, this year from Jan. The Mavericks Challenge roster is announced in December - this year 24 men and 6 women. He’s sworn to secrecy, but it’s hard not to get the hint when he says, “There might be something coming next week.”Įvery year it goes down the same way. It’s inevitable.”īut before we dive into the life-flashing-before-your-eyes underwater wipeout experience, the epic surf photographer casually mentions “just so you know, there’s a swell forming out there right now.” You just have to hope you don’t get hit by these waves. “It’s literally like being in a dinosaur pen,” says Frank Quirarte, describing the feeling on the water at the annual Mavericks Challenge big wave surf competition.
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