Maverick's Surf Contest organizers announced Tuesday that the payout for the big-wave surf contest has been doubled from $75,000 to $150,000, making it the largest known prize purse in big-wave surfing history.

The Maverick's surfing contest has been revived by Jim Beam Bourbon...

The first big swell of the season at California's premier big wave spot sees flawless conditions perfectly suited for a handful of the world's best to paddle in to some bombs. All photos: Jack English