Mavericks is back for a third straight year

The Mavericks big-wave surf contest will be held on the Coastside again in 2006. Twenty-four of the best big-wave surfers will be on 24-hour call between January 1 and March 31. The organizers have added a gimmick this year, allowing fans to vote on who gets five of the coveted slots to compete. From the press release:

When Mavericks roared through Half Moon Bay last March, 30,000 spectators and two million television viewers in 70 countries watched the best big-wave riders on the planet conquer waves that crested at nearly 50 feet, frigid waters, dangerous currents, jagged rocks and the ever-present threat of the Great White Shark. Last year’s contest was dominated by 20-year-old local surfer Anthony Tashnick, who will be one of the key threats in this year’s contest. According to Contest Director Jeff Clark: “Anthony was rock-solid all day long, consistently riding the best of the big waves. He’ll definitely be a contender again this year.”

That’s right, the great white shark will be adding to this year’s excitement.

Click "read more" to see the press release.

Press release

THE MAVERICKS SURF CONTEST® RETURNS IN 2006 FOR THIRD YEAR

Twenty-four of the Best Big-Wave Surfers and Thousands of Fans Await the Call to See Who Will Claim the 2006 Title at World Renowned Half Moon Bay

HALF MOON BAY, Calif., Nov. 21, 2005 – Poised to exceed last year’s world-class rides and record attendance, Mavericks Surf Ventures is thrilled to announce the return of The Mavericks Surf Contest® for the third consecutive year. On just 24 hours’ notice – between January 1, and March 31, 2006 – 24 of the world’s greatest big-wave surfers will descend upon the frigid waters of Half Moon Bay for the chance to ride “the most dangerous waves in the world.” New this season, Mavericks fans will have the opportunity to have their say, voting for five contestants they would like to see compete at this year’s contest and receive SMS updates directly on their cell phone.

When Mavericks roared through Half Moon Bay last March, 30,000 spectators and two million television viewers in 70 countries watched the best big-wave riders on the planet conquer waves that crested at nearly 50 feet, frigid waters, dangerous currents, jagged rocks and the ever-present threat of the Great White Shark. Last year’s contest was dominated by 20-year-old local surfer Anthony Tashnick, who will be one of the key threats in this year’s contest. According to Contest Director Jeff Clark: “Anthony was rock-solid all day long, consistently riding the best of the big waves. He’ll definitely be a contender again this year.”

The conditions, the waves and the contest’s unpredictability all contribute to the event’s allure. When Mother Nature and a little luck combine to produce the notoriously massive waves, the 24 surfers get the call and have a mere 24 hours to be onsite and ready to compete. Surfers and fans can track the waves and stay up-to-date on contest announcements on the official website, www.maverickssurf.com, and new this year, through a soon-to-be-announced SMS campaign allowing subscribers to receive information directly to their cell phones.

Clark has historically chosen all 24 contestants single-handedly, leaving nothing up to chance. However, this year, Mavericks fans will have the opportunity to vote for five of the contestants they would like to see compete. Beginning Tuesday, November 22, 2005, fans can visit www.surfermag.com to complete an online poll allowing them to vote for the last lucky five. Votes can be cast until December 14, 2005, choosing among the following stand-out riders:

Carlos Burle, Mike Brumett, Ion Banner, Jake Wormhoudt, Rodrigo Resende, Danilo Couto, Troy Virostko, Garrett McNamara, Noah Johnson, Ross Clarke-Jones, Alex Martens, Russell Smith, Josh Loya, Grant Baker

The list of current invitees—already in the contest—includes: Anthony Tashnick, Greg Long, Tyler Smith, Zach Wormhoudt, Shane Desmond, Matt Ambrose, Brock Little, Ryan Seelbach, Ryan Augenstein, Evan Slater, Eraldo Gueiros, Shawn Rhodes, Randy Cone, Grant Washburn, Darryl Virostko, Kenny Collins, Peter Mel, Nathan Fletcher, Mike Gerhardt

About Mavericks Surf Ventures:

Mavericks Surf Ventures, LLC is a partnership between surfing legend Jeff Clark and San Francisco-based sports management and marketing firm Evolve Sports, LLC. Mavericks Surf Ventures produces The Mavericks Surf Contest® and offers apparel and other licensed merchandise under the Mavericks™ brand. Coined as "the wave beyond," Mavericks™ inspires hardcore athletes to face the unpredictably raw power of Mother Nature, and stirs the souls of those who aspire to challenge their own limits. On a date to be determined on 24-hours’ notice during the winter season of 2006, 24 invited surfers will battle to determine the next Champion of The Mavericks Surf Contest®.

Press Contact:
Dawn Boeckermann
SnL Communications
310.996.0239
[email protected]
www.snlc.net