TO BIG TO CATCH Conditions too perilous for surfing competition

Posted on 01/11/2016 | About San Francisco, California

Monster waves the size of a six-story building broke at Northern California's perilous Mavericks surf spot. The waves on Thursday drew professional big-wave surfers from around the world, but conditions were too chaotic for an annual surfing competition for top riders.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Titans of Mavericks was postponed but could be held later this season, depending on conditions. The window for the exclusive, one-day contest closes March 31. The Mavericks surf spot near the San Francisco Bay Area city of Half Moon Bay is known for treacherous conditions. The Chronicle reports waves at the break can easily top 60 feet, and they pound the underwater reef with such force they can be recorded by seismographs. This week, powerful El Nino-driven storms drenched California, lashing coastal areas with big waves.