Places to view Mavericks

Does anyone know of any good spots to see the Mavericks contest?  I have crabbed and fished HMB many times but Mavericks has always been something to stay clear of on the yak.  Are there any decent vantage points that can be accessed by car?  I'm sure the best view will be the TV or some sort of video stream but I would really like to see it live if there's a decent spot available. ?????

Martin

I think streaming it is the only way to go.  They're closing off the area from spectators because of safety concerns. 

Only live viewing might be booking a trip on one of the charter boats.....last time I  checked (few years ago) it was about 300 for two hours.  Best to find a bar and watch the live stream. 

Used to be a fun event, the last couple times I was there while the event was on, place was a total zoo.  Traffic and parking congestion at 5am.  Nuts.

Tried calling around for a rental helo.  Price ranges from $710 for a 4 seater Robinson 44, to $2100 for an 6 seater open door beauty.  the gal i last spoke with said she'd have to hold 300 feet OTW, so WTF is the point at that altitude?!

I have heard that we can paddle in from the Harbor and watch from our kayaks. I think we just stay away from the breaking waves. I heard that the waves stack up huge and break only in a very localized area. I don't know anything about that area but if anyone wants to give it a crack, Ill bring my bbq and a few plinys.

another aerial option - single engine Cessna 172 for get this the low low bargain price of $310! 
Wonder what the stall speed and min altitude is for small fixed wing of this type?  Probably too fast and high to take any decent pix huh

swell is too small for a real contest there.......in the past (before Corp.Sponce') the one guy who organized it, wouldn't have it unless the swell was at least in the upper teens, or it would be cancelled!

NW winds 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 10 to 13 ft at 19 seconds.   


the breaking wave is too far outside from the cliffs or shore to see anything w/o optics

another aerial option - single engine Cessna 172 for get this the low low bargain price of $310! 
Wonder what the stall speed and min altitude is for small fixed wing of this type?  Probably too fast and high to take any decent pix huh

I think minimum altitude in a plane is 500 feet? Maybe that's over land?

  If you don't mind a nice long walk, you could start at Moss Beach. Up on the cliff, by the last southern houses, there is a trail head. For a while on the last house there was a Mavericks cam because it's a good angle. The trails go all the way to the point. You would still need a zoom lens from anywhere up there to see it well. I don't know where they stop people. Probably just right there at the end they'll stop you from walking down to the parking lot.
  That cove there is a surf break that's called Ross's. The locals have been loving it there lately. Mavericks surfers use it to paddle out to the big outside break from there sometimes also.
  I think Saturday is a good call. Big wave surfers will probably be there at sunrise. I don't think the cliff spot where everybody watches it from will be crowded at all. That's the closest place you can see it from unless you paddle out yourself and even there a zoom lens is way mo betta.   
  One last thing. If the walk from Moss beach is too far, they just put in a new lot/county park spot just north of that big trailer park there on airport road.  You could walk up on the hill right there with a chair and a telescope and some beer and skip the exercise.

Its looking less impressive for Friday, when the "contest" is supposed to be held.  I cancelled my helo ride after reading this article.

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Mavericks-surf-contest-viewing-is-best-done-online-6822051.php

Some of the HMB boats like the Hulicat have 1/2 day trips to view from the water.

I think I'm going to opt for the streaming.  Thanks for the suggestions.

Martin

Or you can just paddle out there from Pillar Point harbor. Go around the shallow reefs west of the breakwater away from king rock into deeper water and the swells should go right by you without breaking.

does anyone know how far of a paddle it is from pillar point marina?

does anyone know how far of a paddle it is from pillar point marina?

It is less than a mile offshore, so even if you take the longer route around the shallow reefs, it should be less than a 2 mile paddle.