The Latest: Titans of Mavericks surf contest underway

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP) The Latest on Northern California's big-wave surfing competition known as Titans of Mavericks (all times local):

9:10 a.m.

Elite surfers are riding huge waves off the coast of Northern California as the big-wave surfing competition known as the Titans of Mavericks gets underway Friday.

It's a one-day, invitation-only competition held at the legendary Mavericks surf break near Half Moon Bay, about 20 miles south of San Francisco.

Waves were breaking at 15 to 18 feet Friday morning but were building into the towering surf required for the competition. The start was delayed briefly due to fog, which is lifting.

The National Weather Service forecasts waves peaking at 12 to 14 feet Friday at Maverick, which can produce wave faces of up to 25 to 30 feet or more.

The competition is held when the surf is just right, between Nov. 1 and March 31. It was last held in 2014.

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9:00 a.m.

A surfing competition touted as one of the most hazardous sporting events in the world takes place Friday.

Two dozen big-name, big-wave surfers are expected to descend on a coastal Northern California town for the Titans of Mavericks contest.

The surfing event is a one-day, invitation-only competition held at the legendary Mavericks surf break near Half Moon Bay, about 20 miles south of San Francisco.

Surfers received the call Tuesday.

The National Weather Service forecasts waves peaking at 12 to 14 feet Friday at Maverick, which can produce wave faces of up to 25 to 30 feet or more.

The competition is held when the surf is just right, between Nov. 1 and March 31.

The contest was last held in 2014.