Rising from the depths of the North Pacific lies a fabled island, now submerged just 15 feet below the surface of the ocean. Rumors and warnings about Cortes Bank abound, but among big wave surfers, this legendary rock is famous for one simple (and massive) reason: this is the home of the biggest rideable wave on the face of the earth. In this dramatic work of narrative non-fiction, journalist Chris Dixon unlocks the secrets of Cortes Bank and pulls readers into the harrowing world of big wave surfing and high seas adventure above the most enigmatic and dangerous rock in the sea. The true story of this Everest of the sea will thrill anyone with an abiding curiosity of-and respect for-mother ocean.What is the Cortes Bank?- A lost Channel island 100 miles off the coast of California- A serious navigational hazard that nearly sunk the longest ship in the US Navy- A graveyard of lost ships- Home to lobsters the size of men and sharks the size of buses- Site of the strangest nation building project in the history of mankind- Site fo the most dangerous missions in the history of surfing- The producer of the biggest rideable waves on earth.