When it comes to big waves, choosing a good day to hold the Mavericks Surf Contest will be easier this year than any year in recent memory.
That's the good news greeting surfers and contest organizers as they look ahead to a wet and turbulent El Niño season that is predicted to bring dozens of heavy swells to San Mateo County's world-class surf spot north of Half Moon Bay.
Organizers will open the contest waiting period this year Nov. 1 to avoid repeating the heartache of losing another contest to Mother Nature as in early 2009, when the ocean lay as flat as a lake from December through April.
Surfers scored the best ride of the season at the Mavericks surf break on Thanksgiving weekend last year, but the event permits and sponsorship deals had not been finalized.
"We're ready. We've been ready to go for months and we're sitting here in a rainstorm and we're happy to see it. It bodes well for the coming season," said Keir Beadling, CEO of Mavericks Surf Ventures.
The upcoming contest will feature the same 24 big-wave surfers who were part of the lineup in early 2009 and the same $150,000 prize purse, thanks to two contest sponsors.
