Mavericks Pioneer Drowns in Huge Waves at Famed California Surf Break
December 05, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO - A big wave rider died Tuesday at the unforgiving surf break known as Ghost Trees, a Monterey County spot known for its fast-moving 20-foot and better waves. Peter Davi, 45, of Monterey, lost his surfboard and was attempting to swim to shore, but never made it, witnesses told authorities.

Friends of Davi lost sight of him and later found him floating in the water unconscious. Monterey County Sheriff's Sgt. Dennis English said a department search and rescue team responded to a report of a surfer in distress, but that Davi was dead by the time the team got to Pebble Beach.

"It's just extremely high surf. Waves are crashing against the rocks, kind of dangerous," he said. "It's primo conditions for surfers." According to the official Mavericks Web site, Davi was one of the early pack of brave surfers to test themselves at Mavericks after word got around about its massive waves.

Jeff Clark, the founder of the Mavericks surf contest, surfed Mavericks alone for 15 years before sharing his secret with close friends -including Davi. Clark described Davi as a "rambunctious big wave rider" and the two took a few surf trips together. "He was one of the early guys that I was able to convince to come up and surf Mavericks with me.

FOX News/ASSOCIATED PRESS
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