Mavericks Closing Ceremony 2009

They're some of the world's finest big wave surfers, and last night they met for the final time as part of the elite Mavericks Surf Contest 2009.

The surfers, their friends and family, and media gathered for the Closing Ceremony with cocktails and dinner at the Oceano Hotel & Spa in Half Moon Bay Harbor, and with the rueful memory that Mother Nature did not produce a wave large enough for the contest to take place within it's allotted time span from January to March.

'Tonight was a special night for everyone who is associated with Mavericks,' said Mavericks CEO Keir J. Beadling. 'It gave us a chance to thank everyone who has worked to make this contest possible. We would like to thank the surfers, who have been as as patient as they are courageous. We are also grateful to our sponsors for all they have done to support this event.'

But contest surfers and organizers are also looking forward with a vengeance not just to next season, but to an early opening of the window on November 1, for the 2009/2010 season.

'We recognize the importance of having the contest window open at the start of November, and we are currently working very hard to make this happen,' said Keir.

Mavericks pioneer and Contest Director Jeff Clark said, 'It’s nearly impossible to overstate the significance of opening the contest window on the 1st of November. If we’d had the support to do so in previous years, we would almost certainly have been able to put on a contest every year. If we are able to do so for the 2010 contest, we will be ready for whatever Mother Nature offers us.'

The Mavericks competition invites 24 of the greatest big wave surfers around the world to enter, and who have to remain on 24-hour alert throughout the contest season. The ability to open the contest in November is dependent on sponsorship. Sony Ericsson are presenting the contest, and the biggest-ever prize money donated for this last season remains in place at $150,000.

'We would like to thank Moose Guen and Jane Sutherland of MVision, as well as Barracuda Networks for ensuring that these incredible athletes will once again be competing for a prize purse that pays tribute to their talent and bravery,' added Keir.

Mavericks 2009 Season is Closed

Mavericks, one of the most dangerous big-wave surf contests in the world, has just announced the closure of its 2009 season without a surfer riding a board, but have intimated that with the right sponsorship money will open next season in November instead of January.

The biggest ever prize of $150,000 remains in place.

The big-wave contest opened on January 1 and ran through to the last day of March, during which time 24 of the world's top big-wave surfers, who were specially invited to compete, waited for the Pacific Ocean to produce 50 ft swells.

They remained on 24-hour alert - as did thousands of fans - throughout that time, but this year has seen a lack of Alaskan storms to create the Mavericks wave.

Contest organizers had held over the official closure in the hope of extending the contest but have made the decision based on the needs of wildlife conservation at Half Moon Bay. Mavericks, they say, is sited in 'the heart of one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the planet,' and April is a particularly sensitive time for breeding and migration.

Far from being despondent, however, they are optimistic about next season, especially with the hope of promoting the contest in September ready to open in November instead of January.

'Showcasing 24 of the world’s finest big-wave surfers, the largest prize purse in the history of big-wave surfing, and four former Contest Champions, The Mavericks Surf Contest® will return again next season to the epic Half Moon Bay break,' they said in their press release, but have crucially included at the end of it:

'If we had the support to open the window in November, we’d be virtually guaranteed a Contest every season. This past November, for example, delivered some of the most memorable surf in a decade. If our sponsor partners continue to step up, imagine what we could do with Contest conditions like that next season. It would be truly epic,' said Contest Director and Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark.

This year's benefactors are Moose Guen and Jane Sutherland of MVision who personally funded half of the largest ever $150,000 prize purse, and Barracuda Networks doubled it.

Moose Guen commented, 'We appreciate that nature has its nuances and the conditions were not right this year. Jane and I are committed to supporting Mavericks, the competition, and most importantly the surfers. We also are appreciative of Barrucuda Networks’ support, so that the unique nature of the prize purse is in place for next season when we all look forward to the best swells ever.

Michael Perone, CMO and executive vice president of Barracuda Networks said, 'We respect and support the decision to conclude the waiting period for the 2009 Mavericks Contest. We remain committed to our sponsorship to Mavericks and we look forward to working with them to help build excitement leading up to what we hope will be a thrilling contest in 2010.'

Sony Ericsson were presenting the contest and the AT & T Park, home of the Giants baseball team, were to host the contest via a live satellite feed on their big screens. Last year over 1,000 fans watched from the ballpark.

Jeff Clark, took the decision to close after consulting with competitors, environmental and public safety agencies, surf forecasters and sponsor partners, said Keir Beadling.

'I want to personally thank our army of more than five-hundred special human beings and seventy-five committed organizations for their efforts in getting ready and staying on alert for Mother Nature this season. It’s a tremendous undertaking unlike anything else, and we’re very lucky to have such a passionate support crew,' he said.

Contest organizers particularly consulted with the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS), an agency that protects the wildlife and the habitats of the part of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary where the contest takes place.

'Extending the waiting period beyond March this season would pose a unique set of challenges on this front,' said Mavericks in their press release.

GFNMS Superintendent Maria Brown is quoted as saying, 'The sanctuary had already extended the exemption for the contest period through March. But the presence of listed and vulnerable species, newly-born harbor seal pups, migrating whales, and nesting birds make April a particularly sensitive time for wildlife in the Sanctuary.

'Any wildlife disturbance by boats, people on foot, and aircraft can result in mortality. Wildlife conservation is a concern throughout the entire year, but especially serious consequences can result if vulnerable species are not able to breed successfully at critical times during the year, including right now.'

Keir Beadling added, 'We will continue to honor the concerns of GFNMS. Respect for the environment has been a core part of Mavericks’ DNA since day one. And we will not overlook this commitment; it’s simply too important.'

The Mavericks wave is half a mile off shore.

'Every winter season, Mother Nature offers up the ocean’s harshest conditions and the giant, unpredictable waves that characterize the Mavericks break and the annual Mavericks Surf Contest®,' say Mavericks organizers, describing it as having 'frigid waters, dangerous currents, jagged rocks and the ever-present threat of the great white shark.'

These 'contestable conditions did not develop during the waiting period, and the giant appears to be entering its annual slumber until next season,' they said.

'screen grabs' from maverickssurf.com show Jeff Clark, surfers and supporters at the Opening Ceremony on January 12

Mavericks 2009 Season Extended

The world's greatest big-wave surfers and their fans have been given another eight days to see if the Pacific Ocean will produce a near-50 ft swell, enough for the spectacular Mavericks Surf Contest to go ahead at Half Moon Bay.

The big-wave surf contest is considered by many to be the most dangerous in the world and has an open season between January and the end of March.

The contest at Mavericks was due to officially close at midnight last night - without a surfer riding the waves. But weather forecasts of a possible storm have given hope that there may be a heaving ocean between now and April 8.

On 24-hour alert during season time are 24 of many of the world's greatest big-wave surfers, specially invited by legendary founder and Contest Director, Jeff Clark. Equally on alert, through email and text links, are thousands of fans across California, and beyond, who are ready to rush to the tiny beach to watch the breathtaking event, or grab tickets to see a live satellite feed at the Giants' AT & T Park in San Francisco.

From the city, Half Moon Bay is about an hour's drive down the Pacific Coast. Some fans who hope to watch at the AT & T Park have already bought their $20 tickets.

This morning the media had been informed of the extension - NBC announced it on their morning broadcast - but by 10 am so far nothing had been posted on the Mavericks website, nor had anything been sent to fans via email or text alerts.

The www.maverickssurf.com website - 'screen grabs' above - remains the same as it has done since the opening of the season.

Opening Ceremonies were held in anticipation in January, and four sets of heats were drawn by the picking of a golf ball from a bucket. Many of the surfers, including last year's champion, Greg Long, from San Clemente, south of LA, have been photoed surfing down there since November.

This year is the fifth contest and carries with it the largest ever prize of $150,000. Last year in a private pact the top six surfers shared the prize equally among themselves.

The Mavericks website poses and answers the question, 'Who are the 24?.... - those with the courage and commitment to mount an assault on the pounding Mavericks surf; to face the detonating bombs; to challenge the site that CNN has called "the world’s most dangerous wave".

These riders,' it says, 'are presented with waves as high as 50 feet, remarkably strong currents, dangerous rocks, shallow reefs, and frigid water temperatures. In summary, Mavericks is like no other place on the planet.'

Jeff Clark grew up just north of Half Moon Bay and as a 17-year-old was the first person ever to surf Mavericks in 1975. He continued to surf there alone for 15 years, until the surfing world finally realized that the Mavericks wave was no myth.

'Mavericks is really the only spot that still holds its own in paddle-surfing,' he says on his website. 'It's the biggest, baddest paddle-in spot in the world. When Waimea Bay (Hawaii ) closes out, Mavericks is still ripping. When it comes to who's paddling into the biggest waves on this planet, it's the guys that surf here.'

Today he not only runs the contest but Mavericks Surf Shop, designing and making surfboards and surfing gear including clothes and accessories. The store is in Half Moon Bay.

***see next blog for April 1 breaking news info on stunning 100ft wave surfing barrier broken several hundred miles off the Chilean coastline!