Mavericks Nearly Claims Another Surfer

Mavericks, a surf spot located in Northern California just north of Half Moon Bay, is one of the most infamous big-wave breaks. During the winter months, big-wave riders come from all over the globe to surf what some consider to be the most dangerous surf there is.

Every year between November and March if the surf reaches certain standards, 24 of the greatest big-wave riders are invited to take part in an annual contest with no more than 24 hours notice. The best of the best.

Not all surfers are big-wave surfers.

Mavericks isn’t a wave for just any surfer. Mavericks is not for the faint of heart, the nervous or the hesitant. No, Mavericks is for the most skilled big-wave surfers out there. And it helps to be really brave.

In January, Jacob Trette and others were surfing at this breathtaking yet treacherous location. The day was beautiful. The sun was shining and the surf was only 15 feet. A perfect day, until the unexpected happened.

A massive rogue wave estimated to be at least 25 feet took the entire group of surfers by surprise.

In a split second decision, Jacob tried to go over the top of the wave but got caught on the lip and was slammed into the water, forcing him to the ocean floor.

When he tried to make his way to the surface, he was once again slammed by another massive rogue wave, this time knocking him out.

Soon, Jacob’s seemingly lifeless body floated to the surface near some jagged rocks.

Russell Oro, an Australian photographer who was on a jet ski, saw the terrifying sight unfold. He rode into the white wash where he picked up Jacob and took him to shore.

Jacob was then airlifted to a hospital where he was placed in a medically induced coma. Against all odds, he has slowly recovered and has now been released from the hospital. The doctors called his recovery a miracle.

Jacob Trette escaped what could have been another Mavericks tragedy.

Mark Foo wasn’t so lucky.

December 23, 1994, Hawaiian big-wave rider Mark Foo took off a little late on an 18-foot wave. He wiped out. What happened next is all speculation.

Some think he was hit in the head by his board and knocked unconscious. Some feel he was disoriented while underwater and couldn’t reach the surface. Others feel his leash is to blame, saying it may have gotten tangled and caught on a rock, holding him underwater.

Fellow surfers noticed Foo’s absence and immediately began searching for him in the water and on land.

Mark Foo’s body was found two hours later just below the water's surface, with his leash still attached to his ankle and a piece of his surfboard.

His death was a sting to the surfing community around the world.

Some say Jacob Trette is lucky, even blessed, but I think the one who is really blessed is Jacob’s 4-year-old son, who doesn’t have to grow up without his father.