IT’S ON! Mavericks Invitational 2012-2013 Presented By GoPro

Big Wave Surf Contest Scheduled For This Sunday, January 20, 2013

HALF MOON BAY, CA (January 16, 2013) – Contest organizers and officials for the Mavericks Invitational 2012-2013 Presented By GoPro, have confirmed that the world’s premier big wave surf contest will take place this Sunday, January 20, 2013 in Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay, CA.

Mavericks Invitational Contest Director Jeff Clark stated, “The waves are going to be insane, the weather is going to be beautiful, and the level of surfing will break new ground”.

This is the first time in three years that contest-worthy waves are headed to the legendary surf break.  Stormsurf forecaster Mark Sponsler stated, “This is looking like the best opportunity we’ve had in quite a few years with great conditions for running the contest.”

Mavericks event in 2010

Competitor and surfers’ representative, Shawn Dollar stated, “This swell is going to offer huge waves and possibly perfect conditions. This is a very powerful swell, and we will have dramatic conditions that will push the competitors to their limits.  Sunday is going to beautiful and very scary at times.  I look forward to seeing plenty of glory rides!”

The swell. courtesy of Surfline

For public safety, local authorities from San Mateo County Sheriff, California Parks, CHP, San Mateo County Harbor District and other participating agencies will close off all roads to Pillar Point, including access to the beach and bluffs.

In order to get the full experience of the contest, officials have organized “The Mavericks Invitational Festival,” an outdoor event to will be held on the grounds of the Oceano Hotel & Spa at Princeton Harbor, located on the road to Mavericks and across from Jeff Clark’s legendary Mavericks Surf Shop.

The Mavericks Invitational Festival starts at 8 a.m. just as the first heat of the contest starts. The festival will run all day with a live steam of all the contest action.  Festival goers will enjoy a day of music, live commentary, food, the Sierra Nevada Beer Garden, Grind Out Hunger Skate Park, Mavericks Gallery of Photography, and an opportunity to mingle with competitors.  As soon as the final heat is complete, all the action on the water will move to the Festival, where the surfers will gather for the Awards Ceremony.  The event wraps up at sunset.

Tickets to the festival are available online at MavericksInvitational.com, and range from $10 for general admission, and go up to $1,000 for VIP passes.  Tickets can also be purchased at the door on Sunday for $20, until the event is sold out.  Fans can also watch the live webcast of the contest at www.MavericksInvitational.com.

Event parking is located at the Half Moon Bay Airport, within walking distance of the Festival.  Proceeds from the parking benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside.  Additionally, Bike Works Half Moon Bay is providing free bike valet. If you come to town for the day, all highway and nearby parking will be closed. You can pay to park at the airport that day or buy your parking pass online.

Supporting sponsors of the Mavericks Invitational 2012-2013 Presented By GoPro, are:  Mavericks Surf Shop, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and 1^st to Know.

The Mavericks Invitational Festival is sponsored by: The Oceano Hotel & Spa, Red Bull, Sam’s Chowder House, Crab Landing Seafood & Steakhouse, Village Pizza, Bike Works Half Moon Bay, Grind Out Hunger, Clif Bar and Save the Waves.

Chris Bertish receives his check from BWWT Director Gary Linden in 2010

The Competitors:
Heat #1                       Heat #2                       Heat #3                       Heat #4
Peter Mel                     Chris Bertish                Tyler Smith                 Alex Martins
Dave Wassel               Jamie Sterling              Ryan Augenstein        Anthony Tashnick
Mark Healey                Grant Washburn          Zach Wormhoudt        Grant Baker
Kelly Slater                  Shawn Dollar               Shane Dorian              Ben Wilkinson
Ken Collins                  Nathan Fletcher           Greg Long                  Carlos Burle
Rusty Long                  Matt Ambrose              Ryan Seelbach           Shane Desmond

The Alternates:

Tyler Fox (Santa Cruz)

Josh Loya (Santa Cruz)

Colin Dwyer (Pacifica)

Nic Lamb (Santa Cruz)

Danilo Couto (Brazil)

Derek Dunfee (San Diego)

Ben Andrews (San Francisco)

Andrew Marr (South Africa)

Travis Payne (Pacifica)

Ion Banner (Half Moon Bay)

Kohl Christensen (Hawaii)

Shawn Rhodes (Pacifica)

Mike Gerhardt (Santa Cruz)

Garret McNamara (Hawaii)

Russel Smith (Santa Cruz)

Jamie Mitchel (Australia)

Frank Solamon (South Africa)

WATCH THE OFFICIAL TRAILER