Which surf break was named after a dog called Maverick?

Mavericks was named after a dog called Maverick.

The big-wave break is located near Half Moon Bay, California, at a reef just offshore from Pillar Point. In 1961, surfer Alex Matienzo and companions brought Matienzo’s German shepherd, Maverick, to the coast. The dog accompanied them into the water, and the surfers began referring to the spot as Mavericks.

The break later became famous for exceptionally large and powerful winter waves. A submerged rock formation focuses incoming swells, producing steep walls and heavy turbulence. Conditions can be hazardous even for highly experienced surfers, and the location is strongly associated with tow-in surfing, rescue teams, and specialized big-wave equipment.

The name is sometimes mistakenly treated as a reference to an individual surfer or to the idea of being unconventional. Its commonly cited origin is the dog. The annual big-wave contest once known as the Mavericks Surf Contest helped make the name familiar worldwide, although event names and formats have changed over time.