High waves attract surfers to Mavericks Beach

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (KION and KPIX) High surf along the coast has attracted some of the best surfers in the world to Mavericks Beach near Half Moon Bay.

KPIX in the Bay Area reports that 30- to 40-foot waves broke just off Pillar Point, and they brought the return of the Mavericks Surf Competition.

Surfers at the event say that like every competition, watching is both exhilarating and horrifying, and many found themselves comparing the day to past years.

"Once, I think it was like 2016, it was like in February, it was like this, just out of control, huge, scary, I was doing the same thing, sitting at the channel, watching," said surfer Connor Beatty.

Spectators also said they were excited for the return of the event.

"It's a big crowd. Once the word gets out. Its getting more and more popular," said Half Moon Bay resident Richard Patterson.

The event continued from Tuesday into Wednesday and will run until the swell goes down.