At 44, Peter Mel of Santa Cruz is a global big wave legend. And despite all his accomplishments, this was his first win at Mavs.

"The Eddie has always been the ultimate prize for big wave surfers," said Mel In his post contest interview. "But for me, personally, winning Mavericks has always been closest to my heart.”

Greg Long getting back on the horse after his near drowning last month. This was the first time he's been back in big surf and he placed a very respectable 3rd in the event. 

Mad dog Mark Healey charged all the way into the final, and thanks to rides like this, very easily could have come away with the win.

The Prayer Circle, part of the tradition at the Mav’s event, where several big wave brethren have lost their lives.

Just another reason to give pause before tempting fate on the left.

The 2011/2012 Big Wave World Champ, Jamie Sterling at the 2013 Mavericks Invitational.

The day before the contest saw some gems come through. Matt Becker got this one, which pretty much could have won the contest by the time the final rolled around late in the day on Jan. 21.

55-year-old Jeff Clark, the original big wave cowboy who pioneered Maverick's and rode it for years before the big wave world caught on.

In a lineup full of international big-wave all-starts, local boy Colin Dwyer held his own.

Mel didn’t consider this a big enough day at Mavs to hold the event, which explains his casual approach.

Shawn Dollar takes the sensible right drop, while hellman Mark Healey goes for glory on the left.

Zach Wormhoudt just steps in front of this Mavs landmine.

Once solely considered a right, in the past few years the left at Mavericks has become more enticing to the goofyfoots and the more intrepid regularfoots on Sunday like Mark Healey and Peter Mel.

Jet skis are typcially allowed in the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, but the Mavericks Invitational was an exception.