Dec 5, 2007 12:38 am US/Pacific
Coastal Wave Warning: Surfer Dies, Boaters Missing
PEBBLE BEACH (CBS 5 / AP / BCN) ―
A big wave rider died Tuesday at the unforgiving surf break known as Ghost Trees, a spot off of Pebble Beach in Monterey County known for its fast-moving 20-foot and better waves.
The death came while a high surf warning was in place for much of the Northern and Central California coast through Wednesday, issued by the National Weather Service. That warning meant dangerous surf, which resulted in some eager surfers along popular coastal breaks.
Peter Davi, 45, of Monterey, lost his surfboard and was attempting to swim to the Pebble Beach shore, but never made it, witnesses told authorities. Friends of Davi lost sight of him and later found him floating in the water unconscious, according to the coroner's office.
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 around 1:30 p.m.
"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 surf contest 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. He was like blown away at how big a wave it was," Clark said.
Davi's death came just days before the waiting period was set to open for the big wave surf contest at Mavericks off the shore of Half Moon Bay, where equally large swells rolled in Tuesday.
The scary surf also attracted spectators who had to be chased off cliffside property in exclusive Pebble Beach, English said. California Highway Patrol officers were called in to ticket motorists who flooded the scenic 17-mile Drive.
In Santa Cruz, lifeguards had to evacuate at least four surfers from the Mitchell's Cove surf spot after high tide rolled in. Authorities confirmed they also rescued a nearly hypothermic man found face down about a quarter-mile off the coast of Capitola, the Santa Cruz Sentinel newspaper reported.
Further north, the U.S. Coast Guard and the San Mateo Sheriff's Department searched for a fishing vessel with two people aboard that was reported missing in the heavy surf off Pillar Point, north of Half Moon Bay.
The Coast Guard dispatched two helicopters and two 47-foot motor lifeboats to conduct a search, according to Coast Guard Lt. Anya Hunter.
A small craft and surf advisory was also in effect Tuesday and waves were reported in excess of 20 feet, according to Hunter.
Clark spoke about the dangers of taking to the waves on a day when rough swells were the norm along the coast.
"The ocean is a place that really has no conscience. It's something you have to be prepared for. You live your life to the fullest, do the best you can and keep going," a solemn Clark said.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.)
