In Half Moon Bay, California, 24 big-wave surfers competed in the legendary Mavericks Invitational, where gigantic swells belittled boats and spectators. The conditions, during the event on last Friday, generated waves reaching 50 feet in height — manageable size for the participating elite wave riders. South African Grant “Twiggy” Baker took first place in the competition.

See more photography in the Mavericks Surfing 2014 gallery and Big Wave Surfing group.

Photos from ian boyle, briankundtz, chekist613, hog81365, and mebooyou.