Mavericks rescuer hoping to see more great rides than wipeouts

Mavericks rescuer hoping to see more great rides than wipeouts

The Titans of Mavericks, widely regarded as one of the premier big-wave surfing competitions in the world, draws the sports best competitors from all over the globe.

[...] it also draws some of the world’s best support staff too, including 32-year-old Drake Stanley, a personal watercraft rescue operator, who was driving one of the jet skis out in the massive swell, tasked with coming to the rescue of any of the competitors who wipe out on the enormous waves.

The competitors have to meet some rigorous criteria to make the cut for the contest and the same goes for those out there making sure they are safe.

“This is my first year and it was not an easy gig to get,” Stanley said, as he checked and double-checked his equipment before he loaded up at the Pillar Point Harbor and headed out to the break.

Earlier this year, Garrett “GMAC” McNamara, 48, had to have surgery on his arm and shoulder after he bit the raging surf during a practice session for the contest.