| California is home to a multitude of surf spots, among | | | | mountains in the Pacific Ocean. It is about 100 miles |
| them three spots know to big wave surfers around | | | | west of San Diego and about 40 miles south-west of |
| the world. All three produce dangerous waves | | | | San Clemente Island. It's shallowest point is only 6ft |
| breaking over 20 feet in height. The big wave season | | | | beneath the surface. These peaks are what cause |
| usually runs from roughly October through March, | | | | the waves to break on huge swells. Although first |
| although Dec through Feb is the peak. These spots all | | | | surfed in 1990, really big waves weren't surfed until |
| break in deep water on huge swells with bottom | | | | 2001 as part of "Project Nepture". It now attracts a |
| contours that rise steeply so that all the energy is | | | | group of surfers every year, despite being only |
| saved until the wave breaks and peels. | | | | accessible by the long boat ride. Biggest documented |
| Mavericks | | | | waves surfed here are about 70ft, although it is |
| The most well know of the California big wave spots. | | | | theorized that this spot could produce rideable 100ft |
| This cold water wave breaks a half mile off Pillar Point | | | | waves. |
| in Half Moon Bay, 25 miles south of San Francisco. It is | | | | Ghost Trees |
| mostly a right breaking wave over 20 foot, although | | | | This big wave surfing location is off the 18th hole of |
| lefts can be surfed under 20 feet. It was surfed | | | | the Pebble Beach Golf Course. This is a very scenic |
| virtually alone be Jeff Clark from 1975 until 1990 when | | | | location on 17 mile drive between Monterey and |
| it finally became known to the rest of the world. Now it | | | | Carmel. The deep water of the Carmel Canyon just |
| is home to the annual Mavericks Surf Contest. | | | | offshore refracts long period west swells. This creates |
| Supposedly there were 100ft waves seen year during | | | | waves 4-5 times larger than the surrounding area. |
| a huge swell a few hears ago, but nobody surfed | | | | Nasty rocks on the inside. It only breaks when gigantic |
| them. Documented waves have been surfed here | | | | and only about a half dozen times a year. Big wave |
| almost 70ft high. The inside is a nasty mess of | | | | surfer Peter Davi died surfing Ghost Trees in 2007. |
| boulders called "The Boneyard". Hawaiian big wave | | | | Personal watercraft used to tow surfers into huge |
| surfer Mark Foo died here in 1994. | | | | waves were banned recently, making this mostly |
| Cortes Bank | | | | tow-in only spot "illegal" on the biggest days when such |
| This spot is created by a chain of underwater | | | | craft be necessary. |