Waves injure spectators at surf competition

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP) -- Many spectators were injured at the Big Wave Surf Competition in California over the weekend when waves smashed into the crowd.

A number of people suffered broken bones after being slammed into rocks.

Deputies tried to clear the beach after the damage was done. Backup officers were actually on the way to the beach before the wave hit to try to prevent the incident from happening.

However, they didn't quite make it in time.

"I was spending the most of my time trying to get people away from the seawall and rocks because I'm aware...what was going to happen. But people go right back to where they were," said one officer.

One woman said she doesn't regret getting to close to high tide, even after a broken ankle.

"No, you got to definitely respect the ocean. I just think it's one of those things," she said.

Spectators were crowding the rocks because the actual surfing took place far off shore.

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