He’s not joking. Later in the first page, Siracusa says
‘Mavericks is the first California-themed release of OS X, named after "places that inspire us here in California," according to Craig Federighi, who says this naming scheme is intended to last for at least the next 10 years.’
And the words “California surfing spot” in your quote link to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mavericks_(___location), so that is the name of the place. I guess it’s just coincidence that “maverick” is also a word.
‘Mavericks is the first California-themed release of OS X, named after "places that inspire us here in California," according to Craig Federighi, who says this naming scheme is intended to last for at least the next 10 years.’
And the words “California surfing spot” in your quote link to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mavericks_(___location), so that is the name of the place. I guess it’s just coincidence that “maverick” is also a word.