Surf News

Photos of the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group (BWRAG) Half Moon Bay Summit 2019

A person in a wetsuit and sunglasses stands by the water, ready for aquatic activities. Beach setting with calm waters in the background.
Big wave surfer and BWRAG Instructor Brian Keaulana gives a presentation on surf safety and water rescue techniques
A group of women in wetsuits posing happily on the beach, with a scenic ocean backdrop and a sunny day.
The BWRAG summit was nearly 20% women, including big wave surfer Bianca Valenti
Three rescue personnel in wetsuits stand in shallow water near jet skis, preparing for a mission at a beach.
Big wave surfer Brian Keaulana with Deputy Harbormasters Cary Smith and Bobby Dunn, about to drive our Rescue Water Crafts (RWCs) through a course of buoys during the water-based portion of the training
A rescue team operates a jet ski, aiding a swimmer in the water near a rocky shoreline and a sailboat.
Deputy Harbormaster and Training Officer Cary Smith performing a simulated water rescue in Pillar Point Harbor
A group of people in wetsuits helps someone in the water near a jet ski, indicating a water rescue situation.
Deputy Harbormaster Owen Moore with pro surfer Danilo Couto conducting sled rescue training
A group of people in wetsuits gathers on the beach, listening to instructions, with a rescue board in the sand.
Spineboard demonstration with surfers in Pillar Point Harbor
A group in wetsuits interacts on a beach, one person sitting while others provide support and conversation by the water.
Surfers learn to extricate an injured person from the water using spinal immobilization techniques
People in wetsuits around a jet ski, with a rescuer giving instructions at the shore.
Deputy Harbormaster Bobby Dunn, perched atop one of our Rescue Water Crafts (RWCs) giving safety instruction
A person rides a jet ski on sparkling water near sailboats in the background under a clear sky.
Deputy Harbormaster Bobby Dunn nimbly perched on a Rescue Water Craft (RWC) during training
A group of surfers in wetsuits gathers on the beach, discussing techniques near their surfboards under a sunny sky.
Surf rescue training in Pillar Point Harbor
A group of four people, dressed for water activities, stand together near a marina during sunset.
San Mateo County Harbor District Commissioner Sabrina Brennan with Deputy Harbormasters Cary Smith and Bobby Dunn during the closing Pohaku ceremony at the BWRAG surf safety summit
A group of people silhouetted against the sun, with a focus on flowing, light-colored hair in the foreground.
Light winds in Pillar Point Harbor
A group of four people, some in wetsuits and life vests, are holding hands on the beach, with a calm ocean in the background.
Deputy Harbormasters Cary Smith and Bobby Dunn during a very moving closing Pohaku ceremony
A group of people in wetsuits is gathered on a beach, possibly for a briefing before a water activity, with boats in the background.
Pohaku Ceremony
A large group of people in wetsuits poses together on the beach, celebrating, with surfboards in the foreground.
Final day of BWRAG
People in wetsuits are holding hands in a circle on the beach at sunset, with boats and water in the background.
Closing Ceremony
A serene golden sunset over water with birds and a wooden post, reflecting light and creating a peaceful atmosphere.
A job well done as the sun sets in Pillar Point Harbor
A person in a wetsuit and sunglasses stands by the water, ready for aquatic activities. Beach setting with calm waters in the background.
A group of women in wetsuits posing happily on the beach, with a scenic ocean backdrop and a sunny day.
Three rescue personnel in wetsuits stand in shallow water near jet skis, preparing for a mission at a beach.
A rescue team operates a jet ski, aiding a swimmer in the water near a rocky shoreline and a sailboat.
A group of people in wetsuits helps someone in the water near a jet ski, indicating a water rescue situation.
A group of people in wetsuits gathers on the beach, listening to instructions, with a rescue board in the sand.
A group in wetsuits interacts on a beach, one person sitting while others provide support and conversation by the water.
People in wetsuits around a jet ski, with a rescuer giving instructions at the shore.
A person rides a jet ski on sparkling water near sailboats in the background under a clear sky.
A group of surfers in wetsuits gathers on the beach, discussing techniques near their surfboards under a sunny sky.
A group of four people, dressed for water activities, stand together near a marina during sunset.
A group of people silhouetted against the sun, with a focus on flowing, light-colored hair in the foreground.
A group of four people, some in wetsuits and life vests, are holding hands on the beach, with a calm ocean in the background.
A group of people in wetsuits is gathered on a beach, possibly for a briefing before a water activity, with boats in the background.
A large group of people in wetsuits poses together on the beach, celebrating, with surfboards in the foreground.
People in wetsuits are holding hands in a circle on the beach at sunset, with boats and water in the background.
A serene golden sunset over water with birds and a wooden post, reflecting light and creating a peaceful atmosphere.

The San Mateo County Harbor District arranged for and hosted the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group (BWRAG) 2019 Half Moon Bay Safety Summit. It was successful by all accounts.  For more information about BWRAG trainings and mission, check out their website.

Image promotes the 2019 Half Moon Bay Safety Summit, featuring participants in wetsuits on jet skis, scheduled for October 26-27.

 

London magazine cover, worldwide recognition for equality in women's surfing

The image features a surfer riding a large wave, with bold text reading "BIG WAVE WOMEN" from The Sunday Times Magazine, April 28, 2019.

The Atlantic "Why Female Surfers Are Finally Getting Paid Like Their Male Peers'

New York Times' Mavericks, Surfing and Women's Fight for Equal Pay'

A surfer rides a massive wave, showcasing the power of the ocean as water cascades dramatically around him.
Maya Gabeira riding a wave in Nazaré on Jan. 18, the day she set a women’s record.

For more information on the contest at Mavericks, see World Surf League's website.

For all current watch/warning/advisories https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mtr

 World Surf League

There was no Mavericks surf event held in 2019. 

In October of 2018, the World Surf League received approval for a Coastal Development Permit by the California Coastal Commission and in November 2018, the California State Lands Commission granted a five-year lease to hold the Mavericks Challenge. Conditions of both agencies was to allow for equal pay for both men and women athletes.   The surf window begins November 1, 2018 - March 31, 2019.

The World Surf League purchased the San Mateo County Harbor District's Special Use Permit, formerly held by Cartel Management, in a bankruptcy auction through an asset purchase agreement.

mavericks_five_year_use_permit.pdf

In December 2017, the California Coastal Commission granted World Surf League a one-year permit for its "Mavericks Challenge" surf competition.  In response, World Surf League issued a press release. The surf window is  December 13, 2017 to March 1, 2018.   

For more information, check out World Surf League's website here.

 

A lineup of surfers in wetsuits standing by their colorful surfboards on the beach, with mountains in the background.
Big Wave Surfers 2015
A group of kayakers and surfers navigating large waves near a coastal cliff, with boats in the water.
Maverick's
A harbor patrol boat is observing a large wave while a person on a jet ski approaches it.
Pillar Point Harbor Patrol - Radon                                   Photo Credit: Powerline Productions
Boats gathering on the water as a surfer rides a large wave under a clear blue sky. Surfing action scene.
Capturing the Wave
Image Mavericks Wave
Catching the Wave
Image Mavericks Wave
Mavericks Breaking                                                              Photo Credit: Steve McGrath