PRINCETON-BY-THE-SEA — The big-wave surfers are coming.
By Julia Scott San Mateo County Times
Updated: 02/11/2010 04:57:06 PM
The Mavericks Surf Contest, one of the world's biggest surfing events, will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on Mavericks Beach in Princeton-by-the-Sea, 10 minutes north of Half Moon Bay.
Twenty-four of the world's hardiest and most highly skilled big-wave surfers will test their mettle against one of the most notoriously dangerous swells on the West Coast, along with jutting rocks, unpredictable currents, and swells predicted to produce waves as high as 50 feet all day long.
"It's looks like it's just going to be epic," said Mavericks Surf Ventures spokeswoman Katherine Clark.
A long time has passed since San Clemente surfer Greg Long bested his surfing buddies to win the Mavericks trophy in January 2008. The contest wasn't held last winter because Mother Nature did not produce an exceptional swell.
On Saturday, a late-breaking storm will be pushing waves violently toward shore, so fast and hard it will be difficult for the surfers to catch them, said contest meteorologist Mark Sponsler.
"It's going to be a lot more dangerous — because the storm is so close, the waves won't be focused in one place. The guys have a lot higher chance of getting caught and getting 50 feet of white water on their heads, and that's a concern," said Sponsler. "There was a lot of discussion about that this morning and the guys decided it was worth the risk."
Mavericks competitor Grant Washburn said he's worried that some of the surfers will get hurt out there on Saturday.
"I expect a lot more wipeouts than during a regular event, and the rescue people are going to need to be rescued themselves," said Washburn.
Longtime Mavericks surfer Peter Mel isn't fazed by the forecast.
"I think it's going to be exciting," he said. "It's going to separate the men from the boys."
Many of the features of the 2007-08 contest are the same this year despite the hiatus, including the $150,000 prize purse ($50,000 for the champion) and much of the lineup, featuring big-name contestants from Brazil, South Africa and Hawaii, as well as many homegrown Californians.
Contest organizers are encouraging crowds to stay home and watch the contest online (atwww.maverickssurf.com) or at AT&T Park rather than come to Mavericks Beach, which does not offer a view of the action but does have surf.
Updated: 02/11/2010 04:57:06 PM
The Mavericks Surf Contest, one of the world's biggest surfing events, will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on Mavericks Beach in Princeton-by-the-Sea, 10 minutes north of Half Moon Bay.
Twenty-four of the world's hardiest and most highly skilled big-wave surfers will test their mettle against one of the most notoriously dangerous swells on the West Coast, along with jutting rocks, unpredictable currents, and swells predicted to produce waves as high as 50 feet all day long.
"It's looks like it's just going to be epic," said Mavericks Surf Ventures spokeswoman Katherine Clark.
A long time has passed since San Clemente surfer Greg Long bested his surfing buddies to win the Mavericks trophy in January 2008. The contest wasn't held last winter because Mother Nature did not produce an exceptional swell.
On Saturday, a late-breaking storm will be pushing waves violently toward shore, so fast and hard it will be difficult for the surfers to catch them, said contest meteorologist Mark Sponsler.
"It's going to be a lot more dangerous — because the storm is so close, the waves won't be focused in one place. The guys have a lot higher chance of getting caught and getting 50 feet of white water on their heads, and that's a concern," said Sponsler. "There was a lot of discussion about that this morning and the guys decided it was worth the risk."
Mavericks competitor Grant Washburn said he's worried that some of the surfers will get hurt out there on Saturday.
"I expect a lot more wipeouts than during a regular event, and the rescue people are going to need to be rescued themselves," said Washburn.
Longtime Mavericks surfer Peter Mel isn't fazed by the forecast.
"I think it's going to be exciting," he said. "It's going to separate the men from the boys."
Many of the features of the 2007-08 contest are the same this year despite the hiatus, including the $150,000 prize purse ($50,000 for the champion) and much of the lineup, featuring big-name contestants from Brazil, South Africa and Hawaii, as well as many homegrown Californians.
Contest organizers are encouraging crowds to stay home and watch the contest online (atwww.maverickssurf.com) or at AT&T Park rather than come to Mavericks Beach, which does not offer a view of the action but does have surf.
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