This is not to say that contest organizers are entirely to blame for the injuries that occurred when waves washed ashore and over the beach directly inland from the prized break. People who go to see a big-wave competition, and then trickle down to the roiling sea’s very edge, should know they are in harm’s way. Spectators who walk past very clear signs noting dangers ahead must accept responsibility along with a good perch.
That said, it is not enough to merely shrug off the dangers with a wry, “that’s Mother Nature for you.”
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Why? Forget for a moment that a human life is far more precious than sport or sponsors and know that one tragic event could sweep away an otherwise amazing event. Just ask Olympic organizers in Vancouver who are putting on the Winter Games that have been overshadowed by death on the luge track.
This week — not next year — officials at Mavericks Surf Ventures should acknowledge their responsibility for public safety when they set an event that gets worldwide attention. They might start by forming a safety committee with real power. Include law enforcement, county officials, surfers, environmentalists and local residents who know how the water behaves around Ross’s Cove and Pillar Point.
The committee should be involved in every aspect of planning, including the placement of contest tents and broadcast positions. (By the way, when Mavericks Surf Ventures sets up its broadcast booth on scaffolding directly above a “danger” sign, that sends the wrong message to visitors.) The safety committee should be the final authority when it comes to public safety. If they say the beach should be closed, it shall be so, and the contest will have to pay for enough security to make sure it happens.
This is not the first time spectators have been injured. In 2006, a woman was left with serious injuries after being hit by a rock while standing under the bluffs. That same year a San Mateo County Harbor District employee was injured while watching Mavericks from a district boat. These are no longer freak accidents. They are becoming regular events.
Finally, county officials must finally get their heads around Mavericks. The periodic surf contest is by far the most important recurring sporting event in San Mateo County. It is among the county’s most precious resources and draws tourists from across the globe. But that notoriety can leave the county notorious.
Saturday night, the CBS Web site carried the headline, “Surfing spectators struck by 50-foot wave.” The Associated Press story that appeared in The Australian newspaper began, “Two huge waves have dragged dozens of people from a sea wall to a rocky beach hosting the world’s richest big-wave surf contest, leaving some with broken bones.” Forget that both stories are filled with hyperbole and read more like a chapter from “Moby Dick” than nonfiction; that isn’t the point. Perception is reality for tourists. The New York Times included five inches of copy about the contest, and four of those inches were devoted to injured fans.
Mavericks is a wonder. The surfers who ride the giant are a source of pride. It is nothing short of inspirational to see these incredible, courageous athletes who are symbols of a certain California spirit. They deserve a well-planned event that is safe for fans and isn’t likely to cast a pall on their endeavors.
— Clay Lambert
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