Half Moon Bay Wave Sweeps Maverick Surf Contest Spectators Off Feet: 3 Hospitalized (VIDEO)

Half Moon Bay Wave Sweeps Maverick Surf Contest Spectators Off Feet: 3 Hospitalized (VIDEO)

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP)- The Mavericks Surf Contest was no day at the beach for participants or spectators.

Unexpected waves breaking on shore Saturday swept dozens of spectators from their perches on the manmade jetty at the southern tip of Mavericks beach.

Most escaped with minor injuries but three were hospitalized with broken bones. Others needed plucking from the water. The near tragedy stood as a reminder of how dangerous the sea can be.

Check out MSNBC's footage.

WATCH: More YouTube videos of the accident

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