Jeff Clark, the man who gave Mav’s to the world. Photo:Winer/A-Frame

Alone at Maverick’s for 15 years. Alone. Nobody. Not a soul. Jeff Clark did it. Nevermind the 20-foot waves, 20-foot sharks and 48-degree water, from 1975 to 1990 he surfed by himself at the most harrowing big wave spot in California. He got so proficient at the break that he taught himself to ride switch stance so he could go frontside on both the massive rights and lefts. Eventually he got lonely, and divulged his secret to a small crew of Santa Cruz locals. And like that, the big wave scene changed forever. Before Clark nobody figured there was a wave on the American mainland capable of rivaling the outer reefs of Hawaii. But once word got out about the wave in the early ‘90s it was game on. The Santa Cruz scene rose to prominence thanks to guys like Peter Mel, Ken “Skin Dog” Collins and Daryl “Flea” Virostko. It was Jay Moriarity who made the place famous with his “iron cross” wipeout that appeared on the cover of Surfer magazine, and as far as events go, the Maverick’s Invitational began to rival the Eddie in both power and prestige. Maverick’s is the go-to spot for guys like Greg Long, Twiggy Baker and newly minted world record holder Shawn Dollar. Half Moon Bay has also been the site of several tragedies, including the deaths of Mark Foo and Sion Milosky. Hollywood features have been produced, careers have been made, and some of the world’s scariest waves have been ridden all because of Maverick’s — all because a 17-year-old Clark decided to give it a go one fateful day in 1975. – JH