Jeff Clark
Encyclopedia
Jeff Clark is one of the most noteworthy and respected big-wave
surfers
, famous for surfing Mavericks
alone for 15 years before it was widely discovered by the big-wave surfing community.
Born in Redwood City, Clark moved with his family to Miramar Beach
in Half Moon Bay
when he was a young boy. He soon began surfing and seeking out bigger, stronger waves along the rugged Northern California
coast. In the winter, Clark and his friends could see the large waves off Pillar Point breaking from the hillside of Half Moon Bay High School
. After carefully studying the conditions, Clark paddled out at Maverick's at the age of 17, leaving behind his high school friend who declined the adventure and instead told Clark he would "call the Coast Guard and tell them where I last saw you." He surfed Maverick's alone for the next 15 years before he could get others to surf it with him (although several would paddle out, none would take on the massive waves). Since then, his name has become linked to Maverick's for his dedication to the spot without wave models or water patrol. Additionally, Clark shaped his boards specifically for the conditions at Maverick's.
Clark is among the few ambidextrous big wave surfers in the world. Others in this category include Todd Smith and Andy Littenstall, who both also surf at Mavericks. A natural goofyfooter, Jeff spent ten years learning to ride regularfoot. This allowed him to ride frontside (facing the wave) when he started taking on the more dangerous right-breaking waves at Maverick's.
Labeled one of the "world's best big-wave riders" by Surfer
Magazine in 1994, Clark, along with Maverick's and the Half Moon Bay
surf scene, has been featured in such films as Riding Giants
and Adventures in Wild California
. He is the only surfer in the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame.
Clark founded the annual Mavericks Surf Contest with surf clothing manufacturer Quiksilver
in 1998 and later joined forces with Evolve Sports, a San Francisco-based sports marketing group, to form Mavericks Surf Ventures (MSV). In 2009, MSV took over the contest and Clark later resigned from the Board of Directors, thus cutting ties with MSV.
Clark is recognized as one of the premier big wave surfboard shapers in the country and shapes a full line of custom boards. He owns Mavericks Surf Shop in the Princeton Harbor neighborhood of Half Moon Bay, not far from the break. He sells his own line of clothing and surfboards at his shop.
Big wave surfing
Big wave surfing is a discipline within surfing in which experienced surfers paddle into or are towed onto waves which are at least 20 feet high, on surf boards known as "guns" or "rhino chasers". Sizes of the board needed to successfully surf these waves vary by the size of the wave as well as...
surfers
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
, famous for surfing Mavericks
Mavericks (location)
Maverick's or Mavericks is a surfing location in Northern California, U.S.A.. It is located approximately 2 miles from shore in Pillar Point Harbor just north of Half Moon Bay at the village of Princeton-By-The-Sea. After a strong winter storm in the northern Pacific Ocean, waves can routinely...
alone for 15 years before it was widely discovered by the big-wave surfing community.
Born in Redwood City, Clark moved with his family to Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach, California
Miramar Beach is a sandy beach in western San Mateo County, California. Miramar Beach is one of the numerous beaches on Half Moon Bay, a Pacific Ocean embayment noted for its surfing and extensive visitation...
in Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a city in San Mateo County, CaliforniaHalf Moon Bay may also refer to:- Geographic features :* Half Moon Bay , a bay on the San Mateo County Coast of California...
when he was a young boy. He soon began surfing and seeking out bigger, stronger waves along the rugged Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
coast. In the winter, Clark and his friends could see the large waves off Pillar Point breaking from the hillside of Half Moon Bay High School
Half Moon Bay High School
Half Moon Bay High School is an American public high school located in Half Moon Bay, in San Mateo County, California. It is part of the Cabrillo Unified School District.-History:...
. After carefully studying the conditions, Clark paddled out at Maverick's at the age of 17, leaving behind his high school friend who declined the adventure and instead told Clark he would "call the Coast Guard and tell them where I last saw you." He surfed Maverick's alone for the next 15 years before he could get others to surf it with him (although several would paddle out, none would take on the massive waves). Since then, his name has become linked to Maverick's for his dedication to the spot without wave models or water patrol. Additionally, Clark shaped his boards specifically for the conditions at Maverick's.
Clark is among the few ambidextrous big wave surfers in the world. Others in this category include Todd Smith and Andy Littenstall, who both also surf at Mavericks. A natural goofyfooter, Jeff spent ten years learning to ride regularfoot. This allowed him to ride frontside (facing the wave) when he started taking on the more dangerous right-breaking waves at Maverick's.
Labeled one of the "world's best big-wave riders" by Surfer
Surfer (magazine)
Surfer magazine is a monthly surfing culture magazine published in San Clemente, California.The magazine was founded by John Severson in 1959 as a program to accompany his yearly surf films...
Magazine in 1994, Clark, along with Maverick's and the Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay, California
Half Moon Bay is a coastal city in San Mateo County, California, USA. Its population was 11,324 as of the 2010 census. Immediately at the north of Half Moon Bay is the Pillar Point Harbor and the unincorporated community of Princeton-by-the-Sea....
surf scene, has been featured in such films as Riding Giants
Riding Giants
Riding Giants is a 2004 documentary film directed and narrated by Stacy Peralta, a famous skater/surfer who helped define modern skateboarding. The movie traces the origins of surfing and specifically focuses on the art of big wave riding...
and Adventures in Wild California
Adventures in Wild California
Adventures in Wild California is a 70mm American documentary film showcasing the scenery and extreme sports found in California. It is narrated by Golden Globe-winning actor Jimmy Smits and was released to IMAX theaters in 2000...
. He is the only surfer in the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame.
Clark founded the annual Mavericks Surf Contest with surf clothing manufacturer Quiksilver
Quiksilver
Quiksilver, Inc. , is an American company based in Huntington Beach, California, one of the world's largest manufacturers of surfwear and other boardsport-related equipment...
in 1998 and later joined forces with Evolve Sports, a San Francisco-based sports marketing group, to form Mavericks Surf Ventures (MSV). In 2009, MSV took over the contest and Clark later resigned from the Board of Directors, thus cutting ties with MSV.
Clark is recognized as one of the premier big wave surfboard shapers in the country and shapes a full line of custom boards. He owns Mavericks Surf Shop in the Princeton Harbor neighborhood of Half Moon Bay, not far from the break. He sells his own line of clothing and surfboards at his shop.