Just this morning, the Mavericks Surfing Competition for 2013 was set for this Sunday, January 20, 2013. The Mavericks contest hasn't been held since 2010, when a 40 foot high wave smacked waterfront viewers with a massive wipeout.
The announcement came out at 9 a.m. today from the five-man contest committee that includes local contest winner and surf legend Darryl (Flea) Virostko of Santa Cruz, Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark (day-of-event contest director), famed surf forecaster Mark Sponsler, former Mavericks' judge Gary Linden, and Santa Cruz's own Guiness Record surfer, Shawn Dollar. Surfers from around the globe, including Kelly Slater, are hopping flights to be among the 24 surfers invited to the world-class event.
As if the new film "Chasing Mavericks" starring actor Gerard Butler, isn't enough (see video), the Mavericks contest has been rife with controversy in the past several years. An ugly battle for control of the event broke out in 2010, followed by the devastating wipeout of spectators and media who misjudged the power of the massive 40 foot waves that pummel this stretch of the California coastline in winter. Mavericks has an offshore ledge that pushes average waves to enormous heights, creating dangerous but exciting conditions.
Now, surfing fans have to assemble nearby in Half Moon Bay to watch what is promised to be 30 foot high waves on a big-screen HD television, instead of watching from the beach nearby. If you can't go, you can still catch the live webcast at www.mavericksinvitational.com.
If you can go, join the festivities on the grounds of the nearby Oceano Hotel & Spa at Pillar Point Harbor. Ticket info is online here. VIP Platinum tickets at $1,000 include a spot on the Mavericks Invitational boat to get up close with all the action, two tickets to the Mavericks Festival, access to the VIP tent and a 'meet the legends' moment.
However you watch it, it will be the most unpredictable sports event of the week here in the Bay Area. With sunny skies, no wind, and a perfect day at the beach expected, it will be picture-perfect viewing.
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