Mavericks waiting period begins Dec 7

Between December 7, 2007 and March 31, 2008, 24 big-wave surfers will be on 24 hour notice to appear for Mavericks, the Coastside’s world-famous big-wave surfing competition. The window was announced today by Mavericks Contest Director Jeff Clark. This is several weeks earlier than usual, according to the press release.

"We are all stoked to be back for another year," said Clark.  "The 2007/2008 season looks promising as we’ve already seen the first major swell roll through Half Moon Bay in mid-October.  The perfect contest day we’re looking for is typically a northwest groundswell between 18 and 20 feet (translating into waves faces of 30- to 40-feet)." 

When contestants receive the green light alert, they have just 24 hours to arrive for the event.

This year’s list invitees is same as last season with the exception of the alternates.  In alphabetical order: Matt Ambrose, Grant "Twiggy" Baker, Ion Banner, Ross Clarke-Jones, Kenny "Skindog" Collins, Randy Cone, Danilo Couto, Shane Desmond, Brock Little, Greg Long, Josh Loya, Garrett McNamara, Peter Mel, Shawn Rhodes, Ryan Seelbach, Evan Slater, Tyler Smith, Russell Smith, Jamie Sterling, Anthony Tashnick, Darryl "Flea" Virostko, Grant Washburn, John Whittle and Zach Wormhoudt.

There are 15 alternates, in order of priority: Dave Wassel, Nathan Fletcher, Chris Bertish, Carlos Burle, Ryan Augenstein, Dan Malloy, Rusty Long, Ben Andrews, Kealii Mamala, Mike Gerhardt, Eraldo Gueiros, Lawton Smith, Noah Johnson, Alex Martins, Jake Wormhoudt, Tim West, Mike Brummett, Doug Young and Yann Kazabjian.

This year, the invitees will compete for an exciting $75,000 prize purse. The purse breakdown awards $30,000 for first place, $12,000 for second place, $7,500 for third place, $3,500 for fourth, $2,500 for fifth and $1,500 for sixth place.