PRINCETON-BY-THE-SEA — Even if the wave heights didn’t break any records for the 2013 Mavericks Invitational, fans showed their appreciation for big wave surfing and sunshine Sunday by showing up in throngs.
Festival grounds with a capacity of about 12,000 sold out Sunday near the Oceano Hotel and Spa, where the action was shown on a big screen about a mile from Maverick’s break for the first time.
The temperature reached a balmy 66 degrees, Highway 1 was jammed, and the surfers made it look like a blast to race down big waves. Head judge Gary Linden said the surf was 12 to 15 feet with occasional 18-foot sets.