Jeff Clark

Innovator | Shaper | Mavericks Pioneer |

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Photo: Brandon Read

Surfing Big Waves

Legendary big wave surfer and Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark talks about what it takes to become a big wave surfer.

“Once you get in the ocean, you have to know, within yourself that that’s where you want to be.”

— Jeff Clark

Inflation Vest maintenance.png — Big Wave Inflation Vest

**100 % Self reliant inflatable rescue vest developed by Jeff Clark**

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Training & preparation

Legendary big wave surfer and Mavericks pioneer explain how he trains for big wave surfing.

“You’ll have to train your brain to be happy without air.”

— Jeff Clark

Jeff's Work Out Breakdown

Ocean Safety

Legendary big wave surfer Jeff Clarks explains how to expand your ocean knowledge to become a better (big wave) surfer.

“It takes time, dedication, calculation, and study. You have to study the ocean. If you don’t dig into the nuts and bolts how the ocean works, how water moves, the differences between a long interval swell and a short interval swell, the way your favorite beach changes when the waves are two feet to when it’s 10 feet. You have to add all that in your memory banks. That’s all stored memory that you need to draw on for your whole life of surfing.”

— Jeff Clark

Big Wave Rescues

"Snapped leashes, broken eardrums, non-jetski rescue. Jeff Clark talks about the importance of annual rescue training for big wave surfers at Mavericks. How he started the Mavericks Water Patrol after the passing of Mark Foo and how to climb your leash if you rupture your eardrum.

“If you see somebody going on a two-wave hold-down, you want to see them come up. You need to see them come up.”

— Jeff Clark

Courses & Certifications

Seal For A Day

S.A.G. Stunt Boat Driver
Mavericks Water Patrol (Founder - 1995)

BMW Performance training - 2016

Big Wave Risk Assessment Group 2015
San Francisco Coast Guard - 2014

Jeff Clark’s Surf shops

Jeff Clarks' surfshop in Half Moon Bay Mavericks Surf Company.png — **Mavericks Surf Company**

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Jeff Clarks's Mavericks Paddle Sports — **Mavericks Paddle Sports**

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Inflatable Rescue Vest

Legendary surfer, shaper and Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark explains the need for inflatable rescue vests in big wave surfing and why he made his vest available to the public.

Before you buy a vest…

Big wave surfer and mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark explains the training, experience and mindset you'll have to foster before you buy an inflatable vest to surf really big waves.

“I’ve rescued enough people that have had accidents, blown eardrums, where they couldn’t find the surface. If they had a vest on, some of my friends might still be alive today.”

— Jeff Clark