Mavericks big wave surf contest

Ryan Augenstein, Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest — AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Ryan Augenstein competes during heat 3 of the Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. The surfing contest requires waves of at least 20 feet to get underway.

Mavericks Invitational, surfing, big wave — AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Spectators cheer on Rusty Long as he competes during a semifinal heat at the Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. The bone-crushing break has claimed the lives of two expert big wave surfers.

Colin Dwyer, Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest — AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Colin Dwyer competes during heat 4 of the Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013.

Zach Wormhoudt, Mavericks Surf Competition — AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Zach Wormhoudt competes during the third heat of the Mavericks Surf Competition in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013.

Tyler Smith, Ryan Seelbach, Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest — AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Tyler Smith, left, and Ryan Seelbach ride a wave together during heat 3 of the Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013.

Greg Long, Mavericks Surf Competition — AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Greg Long competes during the third heat of the Mavericks Surf Competition in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013.

Grant "Twiggy" Baker, Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest — AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Grant "Twiggy" Baker competes during the fourth heat of the Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013.

Tyler Smith, left, and Ryan Seelbach ride a wave together during heat 3 of the Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013.

Tyler Fox competes during heat one of the Mavericks Invitational surf competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, California.

Alex Martins competes in the finals during the Mavericks Invitational surf competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, California.

Zach Wormhoudt competes in the finals during the Mavericks Invitational surf competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, California.

Peter Mel competes during the first heat of the Maverick's Invitational surf competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, California. Mel went on to win the event.

Tyler Fox competes during heat one of the Mavericks Invitational surf competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, California.

Alex Martins competes in heat four during the Mavericks Invitational surf competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, California.

Ken "Skindog" Collins competes during the first heat of Mavericks Invitational surf competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, California.