"Mavericks" Half Moon Bay, California.

After a strong winter storm in the northern Pacific Ocean, the wave travels for five days in deep water before hitting a shallow reef. The wave crests at over 25 feet (8 m) and top out at over 60 feet (18 m). Routinely, waves that break can be recorded on seismometers. The break is caused by an unusually shaped underwater rock formation. Only a select few are willing to risk their lives under the hazardous, sometimes deadly, conditions at Mavericks. When ideal conditions are predicted, the top qualified, big wave surfers are given only a few days notice to fly in and compete in the world class extreme sport event. These images are from the 2015 competition.

SETTING OUT early, and I see it no differently than fishing, hoping for a few keepers.