Alex Martins, who placed fourth overall, takes off on a wave during the finals of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Mark Healey, left, and Nathan Fletcher drop in going opposite ways on a wave during the semi-finals at the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Peter Mel wipes out during the finals of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Grant Baker drops into a wave during the first round of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Colin Dwyer, Anthony Tashnick and Grant "Twiggy" Baker all get on the same wave at Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
A flotilla of watercraft populate the waters off Pillar Point during the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Peter Mel, winner of this year's Mavericks Invitational, is congratulated by Alex Martins on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Tyler Fox catches a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in the first heat of the day on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
A boat cruises past surfers waiting for the next set during the 4th heat at Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Peter Mel holds up his Jeff Clark surfboard trophy after winning Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Alex Martins, red, and Shane Desmond ride a wave during the first round of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
A paddle boarder wearing a Colin Kaepernick jersey combines two big Bay Area sports events.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Chris Bertish goes left on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat 2 on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Colin Dwyer drops in on a wave during the first round of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Greg Long drops in on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat 3 on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Josh Loya drops in on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat 3 on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Ryan Augenstein drops in on a wave as Josh Loya wipes out at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat 3 on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Zach Wormhoudt drops in on a wave at Mavericks Surf Competition in Heat 3 on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Peter Mel, red, and Dave Wassel take off on a wave during the first round of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Boats full of spectators and media representatives circle the competition and help those aboard enjoy the picture-perfect weather off Half Moon Bay.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Alex Martins drops into a wave during the finals of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Shawn Dollar (left), who finished sixth, and fifth-place finisher Mark Healey share a wave during the finals portion of the Mavericks surfing competition.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Greg Long, left, and Peter Mel drop into a wave during the finals of the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Chris Bertish rides the inside section of a wave during the semi-finals at the Mavericks Invitational on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Tashnick tries to escape the white water of a big wave at Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Colin Dwyer drops into a wave during the 4th heat of Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Peter Mel, winner of this year's Mavericks Invitational, addresses the audience as Jeff Clark listens on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Ryan Wormhoudt gets in a barrel during the final round of Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Alex Martins gets inside the barrel of a wave during the final round of Mavericks Surf Competition on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Peter Mel, winner of the Mavericks Invitational drop into a wave during the finals on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Mavericks winner Peter Mel rides a wave during the final heat. Few on hand were allowed near enough to see.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Mavericks Surf Competition winner, Peter Mel, is congratulated by fellow finalist, Alex Martins, during the awards ceremony on January 20, 2013 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle
Mavericks Invitational contestant Mark Healey attaches a leash to one of his boards at Pillar Point Harbor on Sunday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Mavericks Invitational contestants Mark Healey, left, Anthony Tashnick, center, and Peter Mel head out at Pillar Point Harbor on Sunday, January 19, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle
Mavericks Invitational contestants Mark Healey, left, Anthony Tashnick, center, and Peter Mel head out at Pillar Point Harbor on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle