WATCH LIVE: 'Mavericks' Surfing Comp in Half Moon Bay

HALF MOON BAY, CA- A field of 24 surfers is competing Friday morning in the Titans of Mavericks surf competition off the coast of Half Moon Bay in Northern California.

The waves are pounding and the energy is high as these talented surfers began hitting the waves around 8 a.m. in the one-day, invitation-only event a half-mile off Pillar Point Harbor. Dependent on mother nature and what surf conditions she dishes out, ’Mavericks’ is only held when it’s just right out. Organizers held the event in 2014 and 2013, but called it off last year and in 2011 and 2012.

Organizers describe the famed competition as follows:

Each winter season the nation turns its focus on the quite, yet historical coastal town of Half Moon Bay, California. Sports fans and thrill seekers bare witness and watch these Titans of great strength, mental toughness and dedication in challenge themselves. Each athlete that has been part of the Mavericks history has shaped the event and the way we look at this phenomenon. Titans of Mavericks is the marquee big wave surfing contest in North America, and 24 of the world best in the sport vie for the opportunity to win, make a name and be etched into history.

The winner of the competition will take home $120,000.

Though it may be tempting for locals to to try to head out and watch the amazing action in-person-- local officials are warning you to stay home. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said the forecast is for waves of up to 20 feet, which can be hazardous to surfers and spectators. And because of the danger, no one is being allowed watch the event in person except from the water.

• Planning on Heading to ‘Mavericks’ Surfing Comp? Read This Warning First

The competition is, however, being streamed live on the event’s website at http://titansofmavericks.com and at several restaurants and businesses from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. You can also see it in the embed above.

Spectators watching from a boat should be extremely cautious, U.S. Coast Guard officials said. The boat should be of an appropriate design and have the appropriate safety equipment for the surf conditions.

In the water, Coast Guard crews will be enforcing a safety zone 1,000 yards from Sail Rock. The entire safety zone will be marked with buoys.

At Pillar Point Bluff in Moss Beach, park rangers began patrolling as early as 6 a.m. to keep people from watching the competition from the bluff, San Mateo County Parks Department officials said.

From Ocean Boulevard in Half Moon Bay to Bernal Avenue in Moss Beach, the bluffs and beaches will be restricted by security and law enforcement who will be on hand to keep spectators away.

Residents and visitors can expect heavy traffic in the area, according to the sheriff’s office.

A field of 24 surfers will compete in the competition. Waves off Half Moon Bay can reach 60 feet in height and crash with such force that their strength can be recorded on the Richter scale, contest organizers said.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.