Ghost wave

the long version

A hundred miles off the California coastline, a fabled peak rises from the depths of the North Pacific, stopping just fifteen feet short of the ocean's surface. Legends and grave warnings surround this submerged mountain, known as Cortes Bank-- rumors of lost ships, spinning compasses, of bus-size sharks and man-size lobsters. Yet, the most daring of big wave surfers head out to the Bank for one simple reason-- it is home to the biggest rideable wave on the face of the Earth, a swell of massive proportions that surges in from out of nowhere like a monster. In this meticulously-researched, salt-crusted adventure tale, journalist Chris Dixon hits the high seas to bring the secrets of Cortes Bank to the surface, drawing readers into the harrowing world of the most enigmatic rock in the sea and the tremendously dangerous big wave surfing that occurs above it.