Maverick's: The Story of Big-Wave Surfing

by Matt Warshaw, Daniel Duane (Foreword)

"A voodoo wave." "The Everest of the ocean." What surfer in his right mind would choose to surf Maverick's with its 50-degree murky water, 60-foot faces, punishing rock bottom, and shifting Central California currents over riding the warm, blue, big waves of Hawaii? But Maverick's presents a surfing challenge like no other. Each winter, starting in October, an elite corps from around the world journey to Maverick's to test themselves on its cold, forbidding waves—because challenge, above all else, motivates the big-wave surfer. With heart-stopping photography and an exceptional, driving text, Maverick's tracks the 1/2ve most dangerous days in the break's history, including its first casualty: big-wave celebrity Mark Foo, who died on the morning of his very first visit. Surf journalist Matt Warshaw weaves into this vivid record the complete and unconventional history of big-wave surfing, from its ancient Hawaiian origins through to the modern drama of tow-in surfers. Like Into Thin Air, Maverick's promises to transcend its core audience, appealing to the huge armchair market that is enthralled by the sporting life lived at the extreme of danger.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2000

About the author

Matt Warshaw is a former professional surfer, former writer and editor at Surfer magazine (1984-1990), and the author of dozens of feature articles and large-format books on surfing culture and history.
Warshaw currently curates the online Encyclopedia of Surfing and History of Surfing, each website based on expanded material from the archives assembled for their print companions. He has 1 child.

Reviews

[Jessica Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone looking for the ultimate book on big waves, look no further. The combination of breathtaking photography, beautifully reproduced, and thorough reporting on the history of big waves can't be beat. The photo of Flea on the cover has got to be the scariest surf photo ever.

[Venus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly written and full of history and the culture of surf. This book discusses Jay Moriarity, whom the movie Chasing Mavericks is about. Includes photos and I appreciate the accuracy in dialogue concerning Polynesian and Hawai'ian history

[Jeff Steiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar content to a lot of surf books but a nice recounting of the development of big wave surfing.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many books - it was a 7 out of 10, not 8. But no 3.5 choice, so I give the benefit as it is cool...

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

good, sometimes wordy, organization is only fair

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pictures and history is rad.