Jeff Clark

Who is Jeff Clark?

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, although a number of longtime locals dispute this claim.

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. 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.