Mavericks Rescue
About the Mavericks Volunteer Rescue Team
Mavericks Rescue
The Team
The Mavericks Volunteer Rescue Team is a dedicated group of highly trained volunteers committed to enhancing safety at Mavericks and throughout the local coastal community. The team includes experienced Big Wave Rescue Boat Operators (jet ski operators), lifeguards, paramedics, professional rescue divers, medics, and cliff spotters who respond to a wide range of Search and Rescue (SAR) incidents. Supported by a full complement of rescue boats and personal watercraft, the team is equipped to operate in some of the most challenging ocean conditions on the West Coast. Their responsibilities include life-threatening and non-life-threatening rescues, medical emergencies, vessel assistance, shark patrol, and crowd management during major swell events.
To maintain the highest level of readiness, the Mavericks Rescue Team regularly trains alongside some of the world's leading ocean safety organizations, including the U.S. Coast Guard, CAL FIRE, Pillar Point Harbor Patrol, B.W.R.A.G. (Big Wave Risk Assessment Group), the Hawaiian Water Patrol, and K38 Water Safety.
Beyond emergency response, the team is deeply committed to community education and outreach. Through social media, they provide timely information on incoming swell events, ocean conditions, and boating safety advisories. The team also hosts the annual Mavericks Ocean Safety Summit in Half Moon Bay, bringing together ocean safety professionals, first responders, and watermen and women from across the West Coast and beyond. The Summit serves as a platform to share knowledge, improve preparedness, and educate the public about ocean hazards and safe practices in and around the water.
In addition to its rescue and educational mission, the Mavericks Rescue Team is available for hire to provide professional water safety services and marine coordination for motion picture productions, television and commercial shoots, surf competitions, and action sports events. Drawing on decades of experience operating in challenging ocean environments, the team delivers expert water safety support, rescue coverage, marine logistics, dive operations, and on-water coordination for a wide range of marine-based projects and events.
Meet The Team
Mavericks Rescue
The Mavericks Rescue Team is a close-knit group of local volunteers who share a deep passion for the ocean. They dedicate their time and energy to improving their knowledge of water safety and mastering best rescue practices in big-wave conditions.
Team Manager
Frank Quirarte
Under Quirarte's direction, Mavericks Rescue has become a trusted name in water safety, participating in major events around the world, including major surf contests, motion picture and commercial productions, and community outreach and training
Team Lead
Drake Stanley
Drake is the team leader of Mavericks Rescue, bringing years of experience and passion for water safety to the role. With a background as a big-wave surfer and a certified lifeguard, Drake is dedicated to ensuring the safety of the big-wave line-up
Team Lead
Jeff Kafka
Jeff Kafka is a seasoned big wave surfer, lifeguard, and member of the Mavericks Rescue team. With a deep love for the ocean and a strong commitment to safety, Jeff has spent years honing his skills in both surfing and lifesaving.
Team Member
Parker Guy
Parker Guy is a dedicated rescuer and medic with Mavericks Rescue, combining his passion for the ocean with a commitment to saving lives.
Team Member
Kyle Marty
Kyle, one of the newest members of the Mavericks Rescue team, is training diligently to become one of the top rescuers at Mavericks.
Cliff Boss
Eric Nelson
Eric Nelson, co-founder of Powerlines Productions, is a prominent surf filmer and safety cliff spotter, celebrated for his work in capturing the awe-inspiring power of big-wave surfing. Alongside his photography, Nelson serves as a cliff safety spotter, keeping a watchful eye on surfers in hazardous conditions, ensuring they stay safe while chasing massive waves.
Cliff Spotter
Dave "Dig it" Martinez
Dave "Digit" Martinez is a respected big-wave surf photographer and safety cliff spotter known for his ability to capture the raw power and beauty of massive waves, especially at spots like Mavericks.
Honorary Cliff Boss
Don Montgomery
Don Montgomery is a well-known surf photographer and cliff safety spotter. He is dedicated to capturing the raw beauty of big-wave surfing, especially in extreme conditions. Montgomery is also skilled at ensuring the safety of athletes at Mavericks as he often works from precarious cliff edges. His dual role has made him a key contributor to the surfing community, blending artistry and lifesaving awareness.
Extended Rescue Family
Scott Eggers
Scott Eggers is a water safety specialist and accomplished big-wave surfer. He is known for his expertise in handling the extreme conditions of big-wave breaks worldwide. With a deep respect for the ocean, Eggers has spent years mastering rescue techniques, managing water safety, and honing his skills as a surfer, making him a trusted figure in both the safety and surfing communities.
Extended Rescue Family
Chad Cox
Chad Cox is a skilled paramedic, water safety specialist, and big-wave surfer known for his dedication to saving lives and tackling massive waves. With years of experience as a firefighter/paramedic, Cox brings expertise to water safety. He often works alongside rescue teams at dangerous big-wave surf spots worldwide.
Extended Rescue Family
Ryan Hargrave
Ryan Hargrave is a seasoned WSL (World Surf League) water safety specialist, lifeguard, and surfer known for his expertise in keeping athletes safe in some of the most challenging surf conditions worldwide. Hargrave has developed advanced rescue techniques tailored to big-wave surfing, ensuring that surfers have critical support during competitions and dangerous swells.
Extended Rescue Family
WIll Patton
Will Patton is a dedicated long-distance paddle surfer and water safety specialist known for his endurance and expertise in ocean safety. As a water safety specialist and lifeguard, he has honed his rescue skills, often assisting surfers in extreme conditions. His deep knowledge of ocean currents and safety protocols, along with his athleticism in long-distance paddling, makes Patton a respected figure in water safety and surf sports.
