Warnings, Notices Issued For Titans Of Mavericks Surf Competition

HALF MOON BAY (CBS SF) -- Warnings and notices were issued Thursday by several agencies to people intending to watch the Titans of Mavericks surf competition on Friday off the coast of Half Moon Bay.

The one-day invitation-only event starts at 7:30 a.m. a half-mile off Pillar Point Harbor and only if surf conditions are good. So far, the forecast is good for the competition.

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A field of 24 surfers will compete in the competition. Waves can reach 60 feet in height and crash with such force that their strength can be recorded on the Richter scale, organizers said.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said the forecast is for waves of up to 20 feet, which can be hazardous to surfers and spectators.

Because of the danger, no one is being allowed watch the event in person except from the water.

Spectators watching from a boat should be extremely cautious, U.S. Coast Guard officials said. The boat should be of an appropriate design and have the appropriate safety equipment for the surf conditions.

In the water, Coast Guard crews will be enforcing a safety zone 1,000 yards from Sail Rock. The entire safety zone will be marked with buoys.

At Pillar Point Bluff in Moss Beach, park rangers will be patrolling as early as 6 a.m. to keep people from watching the competition from the bluff, San Mateo County Parks Department officials said.

From Ocean Boulevard in Half Moon Bay to Bernal Avenue in Moss Beach, the bluffs and beaches will be restricted by security and law enforcement who will be on hand to keep spectators away. Residents and visitors can expect heavy traffic in the area, according to the sheriff's office.

There is no festival or viewing site in person this year for the contest, but people can watch it live via webcast on the event's website at http://titansofmavericks.com or at several restaurants and businesses from Santa Cruz to San Francisco.

Fans can watch the event at six places in Half Moon Bay and Princeton-by-the-sea including the Mavericks Surf Shop; Half Moon Bay Brewing Company; Flavor; Old Princeton Landing: Public House and Grill; Miramar Beach Restaurant; and Cameron's Inn, Pub and Restaurant, according to organizers.

In Santa Cruz, fans can watch the competition at Pleasure Pizza East Side Eatery, Berdels, New Bohemia Brewery Co. and Pono Hawaiian Grill.

In Pacifica, fans can watch the surfers at La Playa Taqueria and in San Francisco, fans can catch it at Pete's Tavern and the Wipeout Bar and Grill, according to the event's website.

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