Information for this piece was pulled from a story published in August 2002 for the Reader’s Digest “Everyday Heroes” series on “Killer Waves,” a day that would become known as 100′ Wednesday at Mavericks. Shawn Alladio was the featured subject for this particular story because of her heroic efforts to keep herself and her partner, Jonathon Cahill, from getting crushed and killed by the massive mountains of Mavericks. She is also the best in the business.
Alladio answered the call to work water rescue for the Mavericks Surf Contest at Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay,California. Cahill came along to train with her because he wanted to be a watercraft instructor and what better place to learn than Mavericks?
The surf contest began Wednesday morning with waves cresting 20 feet high as the guys were paddling out through the rocks. When the waves grew to 60 feet and more, surfers began turning toward the safety of the beach, leaving Alladio and Cahill alone in the mutant waves that blackened the horizon. After making several rescues near the inside, Alladio made the decision to motor outside for one last check in case anyone was still out there.
It was then that she and Cahill were met with the biggest waves they had ever seen. Both ski operators remained calm even though adrenaline was coursing through their bodies as they faced 60-to-100 foot waves while maneuvering their skis. Everything in their bodies told them to run the other way, instead both pilots faced the waves. Alladio instinctively knew that she and Cahill had no choice but to open up their throttles and blast over the incoming giants. Fear would not stand in the way of good decision making so instinct took over as Allidio screamed for Cahil to go!
By this time, the two riders were a quarter mile offshore and could not see land. Both of them had to keep pushing farther out to sea if they wanted to survive. Much to his credit, Cahill followed Alladios lead and they made it up and over the monstrous waves and then the ocean went quiet. Both riders stopped momentarily to let out primal screams and then rode to the safety of the shore.
Dang!