Getting caught in the impact zone, losing steam on the paddle, wiping out…those are only the beginning when it comes to what to worry about when surfing big waves.
What happens afterwards is often when the real trouble starts.
Sucked over the falls, at the whim of a merciless vortex of ocean, a surfer can be sent to the depths, scrambling for air, not knowing which way is up or down, and even, being held under for so long, they take multiple waves on the head before getting a breath.
Above, here’s a look at that perilous pull that ocean can have on surfers, big wave or small; but this time, it’s at a 25-footer at Mavericks. So, yeah, it’s pretty strong.
Per the Mavericks Surf Awards:
“Watch surfer Evan Ansgarius get sucked over the falls into the Mavericks washing machine. Filmed on 1.5.2024. Drone angle by Daniel Gorostieta.”
What are the Mavericks Surf Awards, you ask?
Related: Watch: Jet Ski Launches Off Gigantic Wave at Mavericks
“The Mavericks Awards is a digital video performance contest in which big wave surfers and videographers submit their best surf content from Mavericks from the entire winter season. Founded by Jeff Clark and Chris Cuvelier, our mission is to celebrate Mavericks and the brave men and women that surf it. Our values of respect, inclusion, equality, safety and environmental stewardship guide all our decisions and how we operate the Mavericks Awards.”
Although gnarly, this is part of the game when surfing waves like this. But still, it’s not a situation any surfer wants to find themselves in, as evidenced by comments on the video:
“Terrifying.”
“Catastrophic.”
Yep, that about sums it up.
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