60-foot waves pound popular Northern California surf spot
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jan. 8, 2016: A surfer wipes out under a large wave at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, Calif. (AP)
Monster waves the size of a six-story building broke at Northern California's perilous Mavericks surf spot.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports the waves on Thursday drew professional big-wave surfers from around the world.
But conditions were too chaotic for an annual surfing competition for top riders. The Titans of Mavericks was postponed but could be held later this season, depending on conditions.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The window for the exclusive, one-day contest closes March 31.
The Mavericks surf spot near the San Francisco Bay Area city of Half Moon Bay is known for treacherous conditions. The Chronicle reports waves at the break can easily top 60 feet, and they pound the underwater reef with such force they can be recorded by seismographs.
This week, powerful El Nino-driven storms drenched California, lashing coastal areas with big waves.