Big waves at Mavericks Invitational
Peter Mel rides a wave during the second heat of round one of Mavericks Invitational on January 24, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, California.
When the waves and weather are just right competitors get only 48 hours' notice to get to Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco for this major surfing event.
Mavericks Invitational
Mavericks Invitational
Colin Dwyer rides a wave during the second heat of round one of Mavericks Invitational on January 24, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, California.
Twenty-four invited surfers from around the world, including Brazil and South Africa, will compete for a $12,000 prize.
Mavericks Invitational
Mavericks Invitational
Mavericks Invitational
Mavericks Invitational
Mavericks Invitational
Mavericks Invitational
Mavericks Invitational
Surfing pros, including last year's winner, Peter Mel (pictured today at left), know monster swells can mean a real beating.
"We'd be crazy to say we're not scared, me especially," Mel told CBS Station KPIX. "This is a place I've had a lot of experience at, I know its power."
Mavericks Invitational
Mavericks Invitational
Mavericks Invitational
Mavericks Invitational
Competitor Grant Washburn of San Francisco (left) says flying down a heavy wave is about survival.
"If you don't have a good round, not only would you maybe be out of the contest, you'd be out of the sport or worse. We all know that that's what we're messing with. It doesn't make any sense, but we love it, it's fun."