18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Surviving Mavericks

This image shows a lone surfer coming back from surfing 20 ft waves at Mavericks beach in Half Moon Bay ,California, a popular and infamous destination for surfers worldwide. Mavericks Beach is known for its hazy days, strong swells and the worlds largest waves. Not everyone who surfs mavericks makes it out alive. On this particular day the conditions were quite rough and hazy and this image shows a surfer walking back along the the beach from an adventurous day on the water.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 12.2018
Date Uploaded: 09.2020
Photo Location: Half Moon Bay, California, United States of America
Camera: iPhone XR
Copyright: © Mary Bridgland