Photos of the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group (BWRAG) Half Moon Bay Summit 2019

Big wave surfer and BWRAG Instructor Brian Keaulana gives a presentation on surf safety and water rescue techniques

The BWRAG summit was nearly 20% women, including big wave surfer Bianca Valenti

Big wave surfer Brian Keaulana with Deputy Harbormasters Cary Smith and Bobby Dunn, about to drive our Rescue Water Crafts (RWCs) through a course of buoys during the water-based portion of the training

Deputy Harbormaster and Training Officer Cary Smith performing a simulated water rescue in Pillar Point Harbor

Deputy Harbormaster Owen Moore with pro surfer Danilo Couto conducting sled rescue training

Spineboard demonstration with surfers in Pillar Point Harbor

Surfers learn to extricate an injured person from the water using spinal immobilization techniques

Deputy Harbormaster Bobby Dunn, perched atop one of our Rescue Water Crafts (RWCs) giving safety instruction

Deputy Harbormaster Bobby Dunn nimbly perched on a Rescue Water Craft (RWC) during training

Surf rescue training in Pillar Point Harbor

San Mateo County Harbor District Commissioner Sabrina Brennan with Deputy Harbormasters Cary Smith and Bobby Dunn during the closing Pohaku ceremony at the BWRAG surf safety summit

Light winds in Pillar Point Harbor

Deputy Harbormasters Cary Smith and Bobby Dunn during a very moving closing Pohaku ceremony

Pohaku Ceremony

Final day of BWRAG

Closing Ceremony

A job well done as the sun sets in Pillar Point Harbor

The San Mateo County Harbor District arranged for and hosted the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group (BWRAG) 2019 Half Moon Bay Safety Summit. It was successful by all accounts.  For more information about BWRAG trainings and mission, check out their website.

London magazine cover, worldwide recognition for equality in women's surfing

The Atlantic "Why Female Surfers Are Finally Getting Paid Like Their Male Peers'

New York Times' Mavericks, Surfing and Women's Fight for Equal Pay'

For more information on the contest at Mavericks, see World Surf League's website.

For all current watch/warning/advisories https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mtr

 World Surf League

There was no Mavericks surf event held in 2019. 

In October of 2018, the World Surf League received approval for a Coastal Development Permit by the California Coastal Commission and in November 2018, the California State Lands Commission granted a five-year lease to hold the Mavericks Challenge. Conditions of both agencies was to allow for equal pay for both men and women athletes.   The surf window begins November 1, 2018 - March 31, 2019.

The World Surf League purchased the San Mateo County Harbor District's Special Use Permit, formerly held by Cartel Management, in a bankruptcy auction through an asset purchase agreement.

In December 2017, the California Coastal Commission granted World Surf League a one-year permit for its "Mavericks Challenge" surf competition.  In response, World Surf League issued a press release. The surf window is  December 13, 2017 to March 1, 2018.   

For more information, check out World Surf League's website here.