Ghost Wave : The Discovery of Cortes Bank and the Biggest Wave on Earth

Rising from the depths of the North Pacific lies a fabled island, now submerged just 15 feet under the surface of the ocean. A sailor will tell you to avoid Cortes Bank at all cost the treacherous seamount can destroy a hull without warning. A fisherman will tell you that the bank is a lost Eden teeming with enormous abalone, lobsters, and shark. A diver might spin an unbelievable yarn about a giant ship that lies just beneath the surf in gin clear water. But a big wave surfer will tell you that Cortes Bank produces the biggest rideable wave on the face of the earth. In this dramatic work of narrative non-fiction, New York Times journalist Chris Dixon unlocks the secrets of Cortes Bank and embarks on his own odyssey alongside the hellmen and crazies who have tried their luck there and narrowly lived to tell the tale. Dixon s meticulously researched, entirely authentic story pulls the reader into the harrowing world of big wave surfing and high seas adventure above the most... "Takes us to a place of almost mythic power and tells a story that unfolds like a long ride on a killer wave . . . compellingly written." #8212;Sebastian Junger, New York Times #8211;bestselling author Rising from the depths of the North Pacific lies a fabled island, now submerged just fifteen feet below the surface of the ocean. Rumors and warnings about Cortes Bank abound, but among big wave surfers, this legendary rock is famous for one simple (and massive) reason: this is the home of the biggest rideable wave on the face of the earth. In this dramatic work of narrative nonfiction, journalist Chris Dixon unlocks the secrets of Cortes Bank and pulls readers into the harrowing world of big wave surfing and high seas adventure above the most enigmatic and dangerous rock in the sea. The true story of this Everest of the sea will thrill anyone with an abiding curiosity of and respect for mother ocean. "A terrific, deeply researched tale about a truly wild place. You couldn't make up Cortes Bank, or the characters who've tried to make it theirs." #8212;William Finnegan, Pulitzer Prize#8211;winning author of Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life "A first-rate account of an amazing phenomenon and the people who tried to conquer and exploit it. A great read." #8212;Winston Groom, New York Times #8211;bestselling author of Forrest Gump "After reading Chris' most excellent account of the monstrous waves of the mysterious Cortes Bank#8212;the Bermuda Triangle of the Pacific#8212;I never thought I would ever consider riding a wave like this. But after surviving a five-foot, head-first fall from the stage earlier this year, I think I might be ready." #8212;Jimmy Buffett 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. The Ghost Wave -- Once Upon An Island -- Pawns To Bishop Rock -- The Kings Of Abalonia -- Rogue Waves -- Making The Call -- At Arm's Length -- The Prisoners -- On The Shoulders Of Giants -- Mutiny On The Bounty -- Trifling With The Almighty. By Chris Dixon. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 243-256). Rising from the depths of the North Pacific lies a fabled island, now submerged just 15 feet below the surface of the ocean. Rumors and warnings about Cortes Bank abound, but among big wave surfers, this legendary rock is famous for one simple (and massive) reason: this is the home of the biggest rideable wave on the face of the earth. In this dramatic work of narrative non-fiction, journalist Chris Dixon unlocks the secrets of Cortes Bank and pulls readers into the harrowing world of big wave surfing and high seas adventure above the most enigmatic and dangerous rock in the sea. The true story of this Everest of the sea will thrill anyone with an abiding curiosity of and respect for mother ocean.