Mavericks surf contest founder talks about El Nino, big-wave safety

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (KTVU) -- Big wave surfers are getting ready for the call that the Titans of Mavericks surf contest is on.

Wednesday, water rescue crews from the Coast Guard, Cal Fire, the Harbor Patrol and State Parks in Half Moon Bay were out participating in drill to practice for possible contestant extraction from the big waves.

The contest window opens November 1st. Organizers are expecting the event to happen this year with potentially mammoth waves driven by El Nino.

There's concern that El Nino could also create more dangerous conditions.

Mavericks surf contest founder Jeff Clark talked to Keba Arnold about the impact El Nino will have on the Titans of Mavericks and why big-wave safety and rescue preparation is important.