County will present Mavericks safety plan at Monday meeting

Based on a press release from Supervisor RIch Gordon’s office

A plan by San Mateo County to manage the large crowds expected to visit the coast for the 2007 Mavericks Surf Contest will be presented to the public at a Dec. 4 meeting. The public meeting will take place Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Harbor House Conference Center, 346 Princeton Ave., Princeton-by-the-Sea.

Last year, a crowd estimated at 40,000 descended on a small area of the coast for the one-day event, which is held far offshore. The large crowd caused traffic jams and several rockslides that resulted in injuries.

San Mateo County officials, in partnership with other public agencies, will present a draft plan to manage the crowds expected for the 2007 event.San Mateo County officials also hope to get the word out that the area offers a poor viewing spot because the event takes place a half-mile offshore. This year the Mavericks Surf Contest is setting up an alternate viewing location at AT&T Park in San Francisco, where the action will be broadcast live via the Web.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend in order to hear about the plan and to ask questions from officials from the Sheriff’s Office, Half Moon Bay Police Department, Caltrans and other agencies.

The Mavericks Surf Contest is sponsored by private businesses. It typically takes place sometime between Jan. 1 and March 31 of each year. The organizers alert contestants at least 72 hours in advance when they believe wave conditions are favorable.