Huge waves wipeout spectators at Mavricks big wave contest check the video clip

Last week at Mavericks California, the most lucrative big wave surfing contest was held in epic 40 foot waves. With prize money of $150,000 surfers push themselves to the limit paddling into some of the biggest waves ever paddled

South African Chris Bertish beat 23 other surfers and carried home the $50,000 first-place prize. Finishing behind Bertish were: Shane Desmond, Santa Cruz, second place; Anthony Tashnick, Santa Cruz; third place; Dave Wessel, Kailua, Hawaii, fourth; Carlos Burle, Brazil, fifth; and Kenny Collins, Santa Cruz, sixth.

With a shore-break of five to six feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) waves washed over the beach and a seawall unexpectedly and swept spectators off there feet and flying over sharp rocks and reef,

Many of the spectators brought their children, pets and coolers with plans to pass a sunny Saturday watching elite surfers compete atop monster waves one-half mile (800 meters) from shore. but were soon washed away but the rouge waves that started pushing through the contest site.

It took two surprise waves to knock out barricades, a spectator platform and a large scaffold holding speakers broadcasting the contest, held in this tiny harbor town 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of San Francisco

many people were injured and three people were taken to hospital to recieve treatment for broken bones, it just goes to show how powerful the ocean can be sometimes and to never underestimate it.

it was lucky no one was swept out to sea. check out the clips below