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Arts & Entertainment

Mavericks Exhibit Brings Together Most Memorable Images of the Big Wave

In its fifth annual year, 'Mavericks: Everest of the Seas,' opening this month at the Coastal Arts League in Half Moon Bay, is a collection of images from cutting-edge photographers who risk life and limb to document the monster wave.

Be captivated by the best moments in the life of Mavericks surfing and soak in the energy and the fearlessness that this monster wave demands. The photography and art exhibit “Mavericks: Everest of the Seas” was launched in the fall of 2009 with the idea of bringing together the most memorable Mavericks images.

In its fifth annual year, “Mavericks: Everest of the Seas” opens Jan. 18 at the Coastal Arts League on Main Street in Half Moon Bay and runs through Feb. 24.

This year features the early photos of Jay Moriarity's extraordinary presence at this world famous break. Jeff Clark, famous for surfing Mavericks alone for 15 years, said about the break: "Surfing Northern California's rugged coast is not for the timid. The water is shockingly cold, the waves at times are the most powerful in the world, and it’s home to great white sharks."

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The collection of images from the cutting-edge photographers who risk life and limb to document this wave will give you the visual ride of your life. The show is continuing its invitation to the public to share your favorite Mavericks photo or artwork. Space in the gallery will be provided for your piece to be displayed. Art must be dropped off at the Coastal Arts League on Jan. 16-17 between the hours of noon and 5 p.m. There is no fee.

To add to the celebration, La Nebbia Winery will be hosting a champagne and wine tasting party on Jan. 26 from 5-8 p.m.  The lineup of surfers, photographers and artists who will be on hand at the reception to meet and welcome visitors includes, Jeff Clark, Bob Barbour, Grant Washburn, Rob Brown, Tony Canadas, Ed Grant, Seth Migdail, Art Gimbel, Tom Rissacher, Martha Jenkins and Sue Pemberton. A raffle including a surfboard and wetsuit to support the Half Moon Bay Surf Club will be held. For additional information click here.

Biographies of Surfers, Photographers and Artists

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Jeff Clark is one of the most noteworthy and respected big wave surfers in the world. Clark is famous for surfing the giant waves of Mavericks alone for 15 years before it was widely discovered by the big-wave surfing community. Mavericks is considered by most experts in the surfing world to be the most dangerous big wave breaks wave on the planet, reaching heights in excess 60 feet. Jeff is also considered to be one of the world’s finest surfboard shapers. Jeff is also considered to be one of the world’s finest surfboard shapers

Bob Barbour was born in Santa Monica, CA. Barbour’s early years spent on the beach and in the surf became the foundation for his lifelong passion for the ocean, waves and the quintessential surfing lifestyle. Barbour started surfing at Malibu when he was 13 and soon became an avid surfer.  Although he enjoyed photography, it wasn’t until his college days at San Diego State that he realized his true calling. The photos published from his very first to Hawaii made it clear to him that he could, in fact, make his professional photographic aspirations a reality.  Barbour’s images became instantly recognizable. His impeccable eye for detail, patience for good lighting, great rides and perfect waves landed him a Staff Photographer position with Surfing Magazine. That was just the start of what would turn out to be his life long career. Today Barbour is an internationally acclaimed surf photographer. His iconic “Iron Cross” photos of 16-year-old Jay Moriarity’s horrific wipeout at Mavericks on Dec. 19, 1994, became the greatest wipeout in the sport’s history. Barbour’s shots made the cover of Surfer Magazine, the front page of the New York Times and life-size billboards to promote the newly released 20th Century Fox movie, Chasing Mavericks. Barbour’s award-winning photography has allowed him to travel worldwide. His images have appeared in books, magazines, calendars and publications both nationally and internationally, along with exhibitions and juried art shows. Many of his limited-edition original works are hanging in collections and galleries worldwide. Barbour resides in Santa Cruz and remains proud of the fact, that among his many “firsts,” his photographs of the legendary Jeff Clark and the surf break Mavericks were the first to appear in Surfer Magazine.

Grant Washburn is a leading spokesman on Mavericks and has surfed it more often than anyone over the past 18 years. He has competed in all of the Mavericks surfing contests, reaching the semi-finals five times and the finals three times. Washburn received the Jay Moriarity Award in 2004.
Eric W. Nelson shot the first video images of Mavericks in February 1990. Nelson's first film was High Noon at Low Tide 1994/2005. In 1998 he produced another big wave documentary Twenty Feet Under. On Dec. 11, 1998, during a big Northwest open ocean swell reaching 20-25 feet, Curt Myers was shooting from the water and Nelson was shooting from land. On this memorable swell they joined forces and produced the mini documentary twelveleven. On this day Powerlines Productions was born.

Boating and photography of giant waves go together nicely if you are four time Billabong XXL winner Captain Robert Brown, who has a long career of giant wave photography including trips like Project Neptune, the first successful trip to the legendary Cortes Bank in 2001 as well as numerous huge days at Mavericks. Working as the main film platform for all the big wave and paddle scenes on the feature film "Chasing Mavericks" was one of the greatest experiences ever.  Having know Jay Moriarty as a friend made it all the more special to work on his film!  US Camera Boats LLC uses Mercury Verado outboards as well as Kawasaki Jet Ski Watercraft as it's preferred lifesaving vehicle.  

Seth Migdail is a San Francisco based photographer and has been published both in the US and internationally for his photography at Mavericks as well as other surf photography. Migdail’s photos of Grant "Twiggy" Baker" and Nathan Fletcher were nominated in the Monster Paddle-In category in last years Billabong XXL competition.

Tony Canadas, a local Coastside photographer, uses light, color and intensity to create memorable images for advertising, print media, and fine art photography. His lifelong affinity for adventure and the outdoors has lead him to become an international publicized magazine photographer. His passion for travel has lead him to countless locations around the world. From the continent of Africa to the Villages of the Himalayas, he captures exquisite moments in the expression of cultures and landscapes around the globe. It is the breathtaking beauty of the San Mateo California Coastline where he finds constant inspiration for his photography and where he makes his home.


David Evans works as a freelancer to photograph "people, places, and pets." He grew up in Mill Valley back in the '60s and as a teen, travelled to Bolinas, Stinson and Muir Beaches and has always been enamored by the majesty of the ocean — its color, its beauty, and its siren call to young men who wished to ride a small wooden board on its powerful rolling waves. Not a surfer himself, Evans has over the years watched Mavericks from afar. In 2010 he wanted to capture up close, the dynamic athleticism and courage found in this talented pool of daring surfers.

After retiring from teaching in 2002, Ed Grant has photographed Half Moon Bay’s famous big wave surf break. Since 2009, he has directed an annual photography exhibition titled “Mavericks, Everest of the Seas.” More recently, a pictorial he shot of legendary big wave surfer, Jeff Clark, shaping a big wave gun, was featured in a window display at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The California Academy of Sciences featured his Maverick’s photography in this year’s Nightlife event. Grant’s skills as a photographer has landed him magazine cover shots & features in books, publications and television broadcasts as well as the Editor’s Choice of a Nikon Photo Contest. This past year he assisted in the filming of Mavericks scenes for both the Discovery Channel and the biographical film, Chasing Mavericks.

Martha Jenkins’ love of photography started at the age of 16. As a sophomore in high school, she was known to skip out of 5th period and sneak into the Yearbook class with the Juniors and Seniors. It was there, along with her love of sports, that she heard her calling. Inspired by the works and adventures of Margaret Bourke White, she set out to study the world of photojournalism. She attended the University of Oregon and Chico State. She returned to the Bay Area in 1984. For the last 28 years she has lived on the Coastside while pursuing her calling and raising a family with her husband Bruce. Together, they have three beautiful daughters. Professionally, she has worked for the Half Moon Bay Review, the Peninsula Times Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, Sports Illustrated and the San Francisco Giants.

Tom Rissacher: Since 1990 Rissacher has been living and painting in Sonoma County in northern California. Hi work has been featured on several television programs and can be found in many private and corporate collections. He is represented by several galleries in California and Hawaii and is available for selected commissions. And yes … he is still surfing and diving in the frigid waters of the North Coast.


Art Gimbel is a San Francisco native and draws his inspiration from California's coast and mountains where he has spent most of his life. Gimbel’s photography and film work has been featured by the Discovery Channel, Playboy and National Geographic. He currently can be found writing mobile travel guides and seeking inspiration in nature at home and abroad.

Sue Pemberton is a curatorial assistant at the California Academy of Sciences. Pemberton’s passion for photography began at the age of 12, when she began snapping shots of her neighborhood friends. Her childhood hobby soon grew into a full-fledged love for the art. With a personal goal of expanding her knowledge of photography, she shoots most anything and everything in the quest for that special image.

Fred Pompermayer was born in Brazil in 1975. From a very young age he was fascinated with the power of the ocean. While studying Architecture in university he took a photography class where he found an instant fulfillment. After graduating with a degree in Architecture, he boldly decided to combined his two passions of surfing and photography together, abandoned his major, and set out to become a surf photographer! He has a very creative and unique way of shooting moments because he is always looking for something new and exciting to capture. He has the ability to build his own water housings for his cameras, flashes and even camera board enabling him to bring his ideas to fruition. Many of Pompermayer’s images appear in current surfing magazines & publications around the world.

Lawrence Beck is a fine art photographer/printer/custom frame maker who photographed Maverick’s from 1992 until 2005, when he moved up to the Sonoma Coast.  His work has been featured in Surfer, People Magazine (Australia), Penthouse, Sport’s Illustrated, Paris Match, and the New York Times (editorial page Dec. 1994).  He produced two cover stories with photos for the Surfer’s Journal on Maverick’s in 1994 and 1995.  His Maverick’s work was also featured in Stacy Perralta’s film “Riding Giants.” In addition to his extensive archives on Maverick’s, Lawrence has been working, since 2005, on a body of work called “A Celebration of Waves”, some of which are featured on his website http://www.lawrencebeck.com. He is represented exclusively in Los Angeles by Joni Koenig Interiors and has been represented by Holly Hunt (New York and L.A.) and Mimi London at the Pacific Design Center in Santa Monica. 

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