Wet ‘N’ Wild with Rockin’ Fig:

A powerful storm sent some macking surf down the California coastline Saturday. And that was just what the Mavericks Surf Contest needed. Thirty-, 40-, 50- or possibly 60-foot waves greeted the surfers on that classic day.

The cliffs above the break were packed with 50,000 spectators who were oohing and aahing as surfers tried to scramble onto some of those biggies.

The beach had some scaffolding and some tents that actually were almost washed away when a big surge of water hit on the incoming tide. So huge surf, shallow reefs, heavy currents, broken boards, heavy wipeouts and paddle-ins were in store for all the 24 invitees involved.

Some big wave chargers were defending champ Greg Long, Peter Mel, who caught some good-size bombs, Grant “Twiggy” Baker, who caught probably the biggest set wave, Flea Virostko, a former winner, Evan Slater, who’s made a few finals over the years. Plus Hawaiian chargers Jamie Sterling and Shane Dorian, who made some near-impossible drops and waves. But making it to the final was South African Chris Bertish, who was man of the hour, catching some insane 50-footers riding a shape by Jeff Clark, the founder of the “Mavs” contest.

Making the most of his big-time rides, Bertish was named the winner, taking the check for $50,000. Second was Santa Cruz backsider Shane Desmond, who was pushing the limits and got a check for $25,000. The third-place finisher was another Santa Cruz local, Anthony Tashnick, who also got the award for the gnarliest drop on a sick late one. Hawaii’s Dave Wassel, Brazilian Carlos Burle and local Ken “SkinDog” Collins were fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.

These were some of the largest waves for the event since it started in 1999. There should be some heavy shots on the mags soon.

Speaking of northwest swells, the Huntington Beach Pier was going off, too. The boys were jamming on some of those freight-trainers out there. Hawaiian Rich Dagampat got a couple of nice barrels, pulling in deep. In a near-Huntington Beach sweep, Keetin Devine won the men’s division at the Western Surfing Assn. at Goldenwest Street, throwing some power gaffs, with U.S. champ Matt Taylor getting second and Chad Masri placing fourth, even with an injured leg he suffered in that final.

They’re having a send-off party for new championship tour rippa Brett Simpson at Huntington Surf and Sport from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday before he heads to the land Down Under for the first event of the season at Snapper Rocks.

That’s it for now. Over and out!

RICK FIGNETTI is a 10-time West Coast champion and a longtime KROQ-FM surfologist. He owns a surf shop on Main Street. You can reach him at (714) 536-1058.