Maverick’s is one of the most intimidating big waves in the world. First, the water is dark, cold, and “sharky.” The lineup is shifty at best and when it’s big, cleanup sets are lurking to take you out and drag you hundreds of yards underwater. Getting caught inside in that rock-strewn “Cauldron” has proven to be deadly. That’s all before you catch a wave. And what about when you take a fall on a big one? “The initial impact from the wave on this fall is the closest thing to what I imagine it feels like getting struck by lightning,” says big-wave charger Ian Walsh. “An extremely VIOLENT surge of energy!” He recently released the above video explaining the terrifying experience of falling at Maverick’s. It does not sound fun.
