Sports
Mavericks Surfing Contest to Open Season Nov. 9
The 24 competitors, including Kelly Slater and Anthony Tashnick, have been selected to be judged on how they can handle the Big Wave.
The opening of the big-wave surfing contest at Mavericks is scheduled for Nov. 9, surfer and organizer Jeff Clark said.
"The opening ceremony is a special ceremony to gather the tribe, this family and community of surfers, to join hands and bless the event," said Clark. "It's a chance to bring the competitors and Mavericks community together on a non-contest day, away from the spotlight and commotion of a contest. It's a time for us to come together in the spirit of family and remember why we do what we do."
According to Mavericks Big Wave Invitational organizers, the contest waiting period will officially run through March 31, 2013.
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Clark and fellow surfers are hoping for big waves this season at the spot known for its massive swells less than a mile off the San Mateo County coast near Pillar Point Harbor. Plenty of Santa Cruzans head up that way.
Ideal conditions failed to materialize last season, just like in the 2010-2011 season, and the contest was not held.
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Mavericks Invitational is a big wave surfing event. The one-day, invitation-only surfing competition is held at the legendary Mavericks surf break.
Twenty-four big-wave surfers hailed as the best in the world will attempt to take on the swell on the best surf day during the 2012-13 winter season.
The 24 competitors, among them Chris Bertish, of South Africa, Matt Ambrose, of Pacifica, 2005 champion Anthony Tashnick, of Santa Cruz, and 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, have been selected to be judged on how they can handle the Mavericks.
The opening of the contest season coincides with last week's release of the film "Chasing Mavericks" starring Gerard Butler as legendary big-wave surfer Jay Moriarty's mentor Rick "Frosty" Hesson.
The movie, originally titled "Of Men and Mavericks," was shot throughout Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay last fall and winter, including at Mavericks, where Butler was briefly trapped underwater during filming in December 2011.
He was rescued by emergency responders from the Coastside Fire Protection District and suffered minor injuries.
For more information about this year's competition visit mavericksinvitational.com.
— Bay City News
Follow us on Twitter here | Like Half Moon Bay Patch here | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for Half Moon Bay Patch here
Follow Pacifica Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
