Orange County was well represented at this year’s Mavericks Invitational in Half Moon Bay, with Newport Beach resident Pete Mel taking top honors at the surfing competition that draws the sport’s top riders from around the world.
Greg Long of San Clemente took third place among the 24 surfers that competed Sunday amid conditions that would be considered dangerous in most surf spots, but not at Mavericks. While waves reached the 25- to 30-feet range, long lulls between ridable waves frustrated some of the competitors.
Mel, 42, won for the first time and decided to split the $50,000 prize with the other finalists.
Photos courtesy of Santa Cruz Patch.
