Spectators swept from sea wall by rogue wave at California’s Mavericks Surf Contest

Watchers hurt by rogue wave at Calif surfing event

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. — A huge wave swept away spectators watching a Northern California surfing contest Saturday morning, causing broken bones and other injuries to people standing on a seawall.

Brendan Reidy, a contest staff volunteer helping with the rescue effort, said authorities do not believe anyone is missing.

He said several people had broken bones and many others had bruises and scrapes. It wasn’t clear how many people were injured. At least seven people were removed in emergency vehicles from the beach, which was scattered with other spectators being treated by authorities from several agencies.

Witnesses said the wave knocked out a large scaffold holding speakers broadcasting the contest.

“It just came out of nowhere and wiped us all out,” said Pamela Massette of Corte Madera. Her left hand and left knee were scraped and bleeding and she was wet from head to toe. She was heading home minutes after arriving.

San Mateo firefighters weren’t immediately commenting early Saturday.

Brandon Snider also was hurt. He said everyone’s concentration was on the contest when a 5-foot to 6-foot wave “wiped out the entire seawall.” He said it’s unclear how many people were on the seawall, but he believes some were injured seriously.

Snider was getting his knee taped up by a contest volunteer as he spoke to an Associated Press reporter.