Mavericks surfing
competition on for Sunday
By Mark Conley and Aaron Kinney
Watch the event
There's nothing like witnessing a premier sporting event with your own eyes, particularly when it's the world's ultimate surf competition.
Whether you're attending the Viewing Party at AT&T Park, joining one of our Contest Day Boat Tours, or heading to Half Moon Bay (directions here) to soak up the vibe, you can count on experiencing the rush that only Mavericks can generate.
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Former Maverick's champ
Anthony Tashnick, of Santa Cruz, leaves a rainbow in his wake as he chatters
down the wave face during the 2010 contest. (Dan Coyro/Sentinel
file)
HALF MOON BAY -- Before the 49ers try to reach the Super Bowl
on Sunday, the San Mateo County coast will host the Super Bowl of big-wave
surfing.
For the first time in three years, Mother Nature has delivered conditions
worthy of holding the Mavericks Invitational, which will begin at 8 a.m. with a
field of 24 renowned surfers from around the world.
A storm-generated swell that contest director Jeff Clark described as
powerful, sneaky and dangerous is rushing toward the Mavericks surf break at
Pillar Point. Clark said contestants will paddle out Sunday in magical
conditions: 30-foot waves breaking under sunny skies, with little to no
crosswinds.
"The waves are on the way," Clark said. "Great waves."
Unlike in previous years, there will be no beach access Sunday. Organizers
decided to close off the shoreline to ensure public safety.
The best way to see the action will be via live webcast at
www.mavericksinvitational.com or
at a festival on the grounds of the Oceano Hotel & Spa at Pillar Point
Harbor, where an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 will watch the contest on big-screen
TVs. And if you're hankering to find out what's happening with the 49ers, no
worries. Some TVs on the grounds, Clark said, will carry the Niners' noon
showdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game.
The last Mavericks contest, held on Feb. 12, 2010, was both disastrous
and epic. Organizers drew harsh criticism after numerous spectators were
injured when waves swept onto the beach at Pillar Point.
The action in the water, however, included some of the most dramatic
conditions ever surfed in the competition. Competitors wiped out, skipping down
the face of terrifying waves like pebbles before being getting bludgeoned by the
churning ocean.
One of the most experienced big-wave surfers in the world, Shane Dorian,
nearly drowned while surfing some of the day's biggest waves between contest
heats. South Africa's Chris Bertish eventually outlasted Santa Cruz's Shane
Desmond in the final, but the winner that day, everyone agreed, was big-wave
surfing.
This year's waves are not expected to be as big as the ones contestants
encountered in 2010, which towered more than 40 feet in the air. But they will
be powerful and hard to ride, thanks to the intervals of 20 seconds or more
between waves.
"Gonna be super clean and really, really hollow" contestant Shawn Dollar
wrote on his Facebook wall. "Long interval and low tide is going to make for
some heavy conditions."
The surfers, who are flying in now from around the globe, will be competing
for $50,000 in prize money. The winner will receive $12,000.
Tickets to the festival range in price from $10 for general admission to
$1,000 for VIP. They are available at
www.mavericksinvitational.com.
Matt Ambrose
Ryan Augenstein
Grant "Twiggy" Baker
Chris Bertish
Carlos Burle
Ken "Skindog" Collins
Shane Desmond
Shawn Dollar
Shane Dorian
Nathan Fletcher
Mark Healey
Rusty Long
Greg Long
Alex Martins
Peter Mel
Ryan Seelbach
Kelly Slater
Tyler Smith
Jamie Sterling
Anthony Tashnick
Grant Washburn
Dave Wassel
Ben Wilkinson
Zach Wormhoudt
