Google Images For my first "field trip" I choose to take the class to Mavericks. If you're not aware of this majestic breathtaking beautiful surf spot let me give you a little more information. It was discovered in 1961 but didn't become famous for its huge "Hawaii like" waves, until 1990. In 1999 the first big-wave surf competition was held at Mavericks. The competition is invitation only and the participating surfers are given 24hours notice as to when the competition will be taking place. It has happened every year since 1999 expect for 2007 when due to mild weather the organizers decided there weren't any days with suitable waves for the competition. On the day of competition waves can range from 25 feet to over 50 feet and it breaks about a half mile off shore.
When you first walk to Mavericks you begin to take in the scenery around you. It’s what I would say looks like Northern California. The hills are green and lush, with patches of trees and cliffs leading to the beach below. The sun is out but being March the air is still crisp and nips at your nose. There are people all around you, hundreds of them, some are in wetsuits carrying surfboards, others have chairs and blankets, and a few have huge cameras. As you walk around the point you get your first real glimpse of the waves, but they're so far out that they don't even look big. Once the surfers start the competition you can really get a feel for how big the waves are because they just look like little specks of color on a larger speck of color a top of a huge wall of water. It puts your eye site in the right perspective; think if you were on the top of the wave looking down....I would be terrified.
Although most of the year Mavericks is almost deserted on the one day of the surf competition it’s like a melting pot. The surfers are from all over the world and have literally dropped what they were doing to come and surf this "big wave". Even spectators come from all over the country and the world. This last year when we went to watch the competition we met this Italian who was living in New York, had flown in just for the day taken a 90$ taxi ride from the airport to get there just to have this experience. So we took him to lunch and brought him back to the airport, all so he could do it again next year. You meet all different kinds of people from all different places all coming together to watch a natural wonder of the world!
I feel that with what I mentioned above it just shows how much Mavericks connects to our study of humanities. During the surf competition people mix and mingle with others from different walks of life, and areas, all with a common interest. Historically it's a first of its kind for California and will always be famous for the skill it takes to conquer the wave. Jeff Clark one of the very first surfers to ever experience Mavericks said "I've seen a lot of people paddle out there, but only a few really ride it. I don't care if word gets out. Maverick's will always take care of itself."
When you first walk to Mavericks you begin to take in the scenery around you. It’s what I would say looks like Northern California. The hills are green and lush, with patches of trees and cliffs leading to the beach below. The sun is out but being March the air is still crisp and nips at your nose. There are people all around you, hundreds of them, some are in wetsuits carrying surfboards, others have chairs and blankets, and a few have huge cameras. As you walk around the point you get your first real glimpse of the waves, but they're so far out that they don't even look big. Once the surfers start the competition you can really get a feel for how big the waves are because they just look like little specks of color on a larger speck of color a top of a huge wall of water. It puts your eye site in the right perspective; think if you were on the top of the wave looking down....I would be terrified.
Although most of the year Mavericks is almost deserted on the one day of the surf competition it’s like a melting pot. The surfers are from all over the world and have literally dropped what they were doing to come and surf this "big wave". Even spectators come from all over the country and the world. This last year when we went to watch the competition we met this Italian who was living in New York, had flown in just for the day taken a 90$ taxi ride from the airport to get there just to have this experience. So we took him to lunch and brought him back to the airport, all so he could do it again next year. You meet all different kinds of people from all different places all coming together to watch a natural wonder of the world!
I feel that with what I mentioned above it just shows how much Mavericks connects to our study of humanities. During the surf competition people mix and mingle with others from different walks of life, and areas, all with a common interest. Historically it's a first of its kind for California and will always be famous for the skill it takes to conquer the wave. Jeff Clark one of the very first surfers to ever experience Mavericks said "I've seen a lot of people paddle out there, but only a few really ride it. I don't care if word gets out. Maverick's will always take care of itself."
I learned that Mavericks is a haven for big-wave surfers although few have ever had the skill and guts to conquer the huge waves. I would love to know how it feels to drop in on one of those waves, and what it really takes to surf them.
Looking at Scott Sandine's work from last week I learned that he thinks similarly to me in the area that most non-Californians think California is environmentally friendly. I think that this is more realistic in Northern California but overall California as a whole is working hard toward going green. This is related to our study of humanities because it has to do with peoples perspectives on California, and the people who reside there.
Sources
Maverick's - contest
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