Mavericks is more than a competition to surfing community

It’s got big waves and big name surfers, and its right here on the Central Coast. The Titans of Mavericks competition is set for this Friday. And El Nio has brought the party. The theme this winter: rain, wind and high surf. El Nio fuels more storms that produce extra-large swells, an added boost to the Mavericks surf spot.

“When we know that mavericks is going to go on, and all the best of the best are going to be up there doing their thing, all the regular folk like myself are going to be down here pushing our limits on the big waves down in town and along the normal breaks,” said Barry Green, a surf coach in the Santa Cruz area.

Of those competing this Friday in the Titans of Mavericks competition, 7 are local to Santa Cruz and Aptos.

“It’s an honor, it’s a privilege to be able to surf with all the other people at that level. Moreover than anything else, it’s just a lot of fun,” said Zach Wormhoudt, big wave surfer competing on Friday.

According to Wormhoudt, who has been surfing for more than 30 years, a lot of factors come into play at the world class competition.

“All the other conditions look beyond the minimum, like ideal conditions. You know high pressure system, good winds, good tides, good swell direction swells, with all those things in mind, it’s likely to be a good day of surfing,” said Wormhoudt.

Not competing, but part of the big wave surfing community is Dave Schmidt, one of the first ever to experience Mavericks back in 1990.

“Low and behold, there it was. We paddled out there and getting into the lineup it was mind boggling because it was 50ft and perfect. And surfing Hawaii I was used to that, but I never thought we’d have that right here in California,” said Schmidt.

Surfers of all ability in the community are stoked to have Mavericks this close to home.

“While most people don’t experience it first hand and get out into the water, you know I’ve never been in the water there I’ve just been at the cliffs to watch it, but it’s sacred ground you know, it’s like a Mount Everest,” said Green.

“I think it means a lot to the community as far as a place on the map, for the whole world. i mean it’s one of the biggest waves on the planet, so it’s pretty amazing,” said Schmidt.

And as Wormhoudt gets ready for the dangerous competition, he explained that there’s more to it than just surfing.

“You start to realize that those people you surf with in big waves, you know, you’re more connected to them in ways than just when you’re surfing,” said Wormhoudt.

Waves up to 30 feet are expected to be breaking at Mavericks on Friday.