"I'm over the moon," Lamb said after climbing aboard a chase boat following the competition on the water. "Any time this wave breaks, it is life or death, man vs. nature. Mount Everest meets Niagara Falls." Lamb is from nearby Santa Cruz, and surfed Mavericks growing up. He now lives in Venice Beach in Los Angeles.
Bar and restaurant owners predicting 25% boost from #Mavericks.
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Looks conservative to me. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/6wN39XdlOv
The waves weren't as big as past competitions, but grew steadily from 15 feet to 30 feet throughout the afternoon. Mavericks is called one of the most hazardous sporting events in the world, and several surfers suffered spectacular wipeouts, including one of the pre-contest favorites Ken "Skindog" Collins.
PHOTOS: Titans of Mavericks big wave surf competition 2016
Travis Payne of Pacifica, California, finished second and Greg Long of Santa Cruz finished third.
Long also won the $10,000 "boldest drop" award for the most spectacular ride of the day. Long won the event in 2009.
James Mitchell won $5,000 for the day's best ride in the "barrel."
RELATED: Women hope to someday be invited to Mavericks surf competition
The 24 contestants were given 48 hours to get here from all around the world. Last year the call was never made to run the contest because the waves never got big enough. This season, though, that hasn't been a problem. The surfers have been contending with waves as high as 35 to 40 feet all day.
The twist is this event no longer allows spectators on the beach or the bluff after 13 people were injured in 2010's tournament by a rogue wave.
"We're really discouraging people [to come to the shore] because we don't want to talk to families about what happened to their loved ones," Deputy Harbormaster Cary Smith said.
If you don’t mind a hike, here is the best place to watch #mavericks live.
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
The State Park…but still a long way. pic.twitter.com/1KqJW6HCKk
Santa Cruz surfer Ken Collins, nicknamed "Skindog," talked before the event.
"You're still like tense. It's going to be gnarly out there. There's going to be some big waves. So your body knows it," said Collins.
Unfortunately Collins felt the pain early. Announcers from the Red Bull broadcast say he blew out his eardrum in a wipe out in round one and nearly drowned.
RAW VIDEO: Sky7 HD over Titans of Mavericks 2016
Competing in the Titans of Mavericks is worn like a badge of honor, especially since it's not a guarantee the contest happens every year.
The contest was cancelled in 2015 due to a lack of waves.
"It's great to be back, especially since it's an El Nino year. We knew it would have to happen eventually but it was just plagued by this strong south wind over the last month or so and it was good to see that finally let up and give us a chance," said Mark Healey, surfer.
Just last month, we got a preview of the real thing. Huge waves were breaking at Mavericks on Jan. 7, and world-renowned big wave surfer Garrett McNamara wiped out, breaking his arm.
The big wave surf competition is not always easy to see, not with the beach and roads to it closed. As predicted, the event turned a quiet community into a small city. Restaurants and bars were packed.
"It's great for the town," said one fan.
Any business with a television became a surf championship venue. Albert Dunne, who was at Ketch Joanne's Restaurant and Harbor Bar, said the last time he saw the place that packed was last time there was a Maverick's competition.
Click here for details on the competition.
Photographer? Bring a real long lens to #mavericks. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/nFEX0iNBrf
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Best way up, the backside, perhaps through the airport. #mavericks
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Edges of bluffs are closed. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/0PmihLkhpA
This guy has the best of new and old worlds at #Mavericks. He’s on the bluff, watching on line. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/MwIv0YbA2O
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Here is our view of #mavericks action from Pillar Point Air Force Station pic.twitter.com/MGrSgoQTqp
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
If you want to get closer to #mavericks the sheriff will stop you at Stanford and West Point pic.twitter.com/1X5eR7XoY1
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Surfers hitting some gnarly waves at the #MavericksSurf competition. https://t.co/Vw9iW9MlyMhttps://t.co/mObmY5S3nf
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsBayArea) February 12, 2016
Heading out to dump these buoys to mark competitor's zone and spectator zone. pic.twitter.com/TGFspCbUpL
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) February 12, 2016
Harbor Patrol told me this is one of those unsinkable boats. "Allegedly."
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) February 12, 2016
Why did he say "allegedly?"#Mavericks pic.twitter.com/3cuSaS7byQ
What waves?
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) February 12, 2016
Half Moon Bay is just showing off.#TitansofMavericks pic.twitter.com/Nxhptn4CRR
#Mavericks crowd likely to grow.
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Only three heats in. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/Wl7O9VgZk4
At this rate you might not get a table until the next #mavericks. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/eCzZ4C2K1M
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Bar and restaurant owners predicting 25% boost from #Mavericks.
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Looks conservative to me. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/6wN39XdlOv
Feed comes from Red Bull.
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Access through https://t.co/6iCiH6Arh3#Mavericks pic.twitter.com/B3QGXde4tB
One minor injury at #Mavericks thus far. pic.twitter.com/5pAXfgRrAt
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
More monitors in parking lot.
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Good luck finding a space. #Mavericks #abc7now pic.twitter.com/6stvdlh1ld
Event is streaming in those bars, restaurants, establishments, etc.
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Viewing #Mavericks at point…a no-no. pic.twitter.com/YLb1pNkq6s
When the bars are five deep at 9am…yeah. This is happening. #Mavericks Surf. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/T9sMPZXCbN
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Check in time for surfers at #titansofmavericks pic.twitter.com/SSMWwhntJX
— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) February 12, 2016
waves now building along San Mateo County coast. #Mavericks surf contest expects 40 footers tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/ntjmIN8iKx
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 12, 2016
Bobby will be pouring drinks in the Harbor Bar. “It’s a shot in the arm in slow season.” #Mavericks pic.twitter.com/6GAMSDVYD2
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 11, 2016
Local bars and restaurants will have #Mavericks contest feed on their televisions. Bobby Brian expects, “Busy.” pic.twitter.com/kfTeIUOujV
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 11, 2016
Here’s Jeff, prepping board for one competitor who had to leave on short notice. #Mavericks pic.twitter.com/VfImpXmTgj
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 11, 2016
#Mavericks surf contest founder Jeff Clark says event will begin at 8:30 tomorrow. Waves just now begging to build pic.twitter.com/rU6DIZeZgC
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 11, 2016
The Associated Press contributed to this report.