Big-wave rider Richar d Schm id t talk s about the movi ng magic mountain known as Maverick s
It is both vixen and villain. Like the siren's song that tempted ancient sailors, so
too does Mavericks call out to young surfers obsessed with harnessing its power and mys tique. On 23 December 1994, the body of professional surfer Mark Foo was fished out of the water with half his surfboard still attached to his leg. He was a victim of being held down in the undersea canyon known as the "cauldron." Professional sUl·fer and quintessential waterman Robel·t Schmidt. who operates an
innovative sUl·fing school in Santa Cl'UZ, gl'ew up sUl·£ing the waters of NOl·thern California and has devoted his life to l'iding the wodd's lal'gest waves.
Alex DeMarco: How big was Mavericks this past season? Richard Schmidt: Over 30 feet, measured from the back. [Note: Schmidt measures wa Hawaiian style-from the back. The face of this wave would rise roughly 50 feet]
takeoff: josh loya AD: How has EI Nino affected Mavericks?
RS: It has definitely lived up to its billing. It was a good winter for surf ing. Mavericks started picking up swell in September.
AD: What is it llke to su1'i
