Maverick’s Opening Day: Surfing & Injury Report

Despite a thick 6-foot high tide in the morning and an impenetrable layer of fog, Maverick’s was still buzzing with activity on Thursday. After several false starts this fall season, a solid west swell arrived in full.

Fred Pompermayer, one of the hardest-working surf photographers in the game (who can shoot in the Himalayas as well as mammoth waves), had prime views of the day’s early tow and late afternoon paddle sessions. Below is a collection of images from his hard drive, a glimpse into the good, bad and ugly of the season opener.

By 3 p.m., the fog lifted, and a paddle session draped in golden fall light ensued. The tide drained, going into the negatives, revealing that notorious yet photogenic bowl. Not the biggest nor best, but a proper opening day and enough hollow 20-footers (and some significantly larger) to keep everyone honest.

Some notable highlights. Wilem Banks, 2025 Big Wave Challenge Biggest Paddle winner, celebrated his 29th birthday by making the drop of the day and breaking a 2-year-old 9’2” gun. Eric Nicholson, not for lack of trying, had the slam of the day and perforated his eardrum after free-falling into the pit.

Alo Slebir and Luca Padua got out at 8 a.m. and stayed till dark, affording Luca a chance to pack the left on the rope. The duo had had “at least five false starts” this season, which afforded them the opportunity to get all their ducks in a row. Though the lurching peak on the negative tide packed a solid punch, these guys are already keen for a full ordeal.

“Don’t get me wrong, there’s no such thing as nice Maverick’s,” Alo said. “But that negative tide, we thought there were going to be absolute mutants. I just don’t think the swell was completely there. But there were still occasional monsters, for sure.”

Izzie Gomez towed into a nugget but got wasted on the end section, and she missed the paddle season. Half Moon Bay’s own Zoe Chait, just 19 years old, was the only local woman in the lineup. She added both tow and paddle waves to her growing Maverick’s tally.

All in all. Not a bad day. It’s a solid start.

Related: The Maverick’s Volunteer Water Safety Team Need You