Mavericks contest gets 56 days

The WSL received a thumbs-up from the California Coastal Commission this week, moving the one-day competition closer to including the first-ever women’s heat.

“We are thrilled to open the competition window for the Mavericks Challenge,” WSL CEO Sophie Goldschmidt said in a press release. “Mavericks is a special location that adds a new level to the Big Wave Tour schedule. Hosting the women’s event at Mavericks was always a priority for us when we acquired the event. We are excited and ready to bring the Mavericks Challenge to the international stage for our fans to enjoy.”

Since 1999, when the first event was held near Pillar Point Harbor, Mavericks has stood as a standalone event undergoing varied management over the years. Locals lost control of the event after they partnered with Cartel Management’s Griffin Guess who, after successfully hosting a 2015-16 contest, shocked the community by filing for bankruptcy last year.

Up for auction was a multi-year permit to host the event through 2021 issued by the San Mateo County Harbor District. Prior local organizers argued the permit belonged to them not Cartel, but a federal judge ultimately approved the WSL’s offer to pay $525,000 for the permit.

The last winter season washed away without a competition, or even the contest window opening due to the bankruptcy case. After buying the district’s multi-year permit in October and taking time to secure remaining approvals, including from the Coastal Commission, the WSL on Thursday announced a contest could indeed be held. In prior years, Mavericks had a five-month open window, however the WSL indicated this year there’s only 56 days for conditions to align and a contest to be held.

Similar to what was required of Cartel’s Titans of Mavericks, the Coastal Commission ordered the WSL include women surfers in a special heat for the first time at the local big wave break.

Hawaii’s Paige Alms, who was WSL’s 2016 Women’s Big Wave champion, is one of the chosen six who could compete at Mavericks in the coming weeks.

“Having the addition of the Mavericks event on the Big Wave Tour is a huge thing for the men and women,” Alms said in a press release. “Mavericks is a really perfect wave and one of the most powerful big waves in the world. With the inclusion of Mavericks as a part of the tour, I think fans will be seeing some of the best big waves ridden, hopefully the conditions are just all-time. We will see some of the best waves ridden there and also some of the most heavy wipeouts, people really like to push themselves over the ledge there.”

Renamed the “Mavericks Challenge,” the contest will become part of the 2017-18 Big Wave Tour’s Northern Hemisphere Season. The men’s division includes 24 big-wave surfers, which includes the top 10 finishers of last season, six BWT wildcards and six event wildcards chosen by “local experts.” Several longtime competitors didn’t make this year’s list, however former champ Peter Mel could again ride in the competition.

The six women chosen include Alms, Keala Kennelly, Justine Dupont, Bianca Valenti, Sarah Gerhardt and Emily Erickson. While pleased to finally have a chance to surf during a Mavericks competition, some of the women are urging an expansion in future years.

The Committee for Equity in Women’s Surfing, CEWS, sent a letter to the Coastal Commission supporting the WSL receiving a single-year permit. Alms, Kennelly, Valenti, Andrea Moller as well as Harbor Commissioner Sabrina Brennan, are advocating for future competitions that include multiple heats for female surfers.

“We look forward to an event managed by people who support the evolution of women’s big wave surfing. We look forward to developing a strong relationship with the WSL that brings greater equity to the sport,” the CEWS wrote in a letter. “Starting in the 2018/2019 season, we believe that women athletes should be provided with an opportunity to compete in a multi-heat women’s division at Mavericks. It will be good for women, for the [Mavericks’] legacy, and it will ensure fair and equal access to coastal waters.”

Other stops on this year’s tour have included Mexico and Hawaii, with a Portugal contest window now open through Feb. 18. At Mavericks, an event will depend on conditions aligning to provide towering 30-foot waves during daylight hours with minimal wind and consistent swells.

It’s unclear what the WSL has planned for public viewing opportunities. In the early years, people could watch Mavericks from the coast. However, a 2010 wave crashed ashore wiping out spectators, breaking bones and prompting closure of the beach as well as bluffs in future years. Previous contests hosted by local organizers included a festival and viewing party at the Oceano Hotel parking lot. However, that tradition was also cut short and, during the 2015-16 contest, the festival was cut and a few local bars just live-streamed it on TVs. 

Nic Lamb, the Santa Cruz native who conquered the last Mavericks title, said he was looking forward to the potential for another contest and its new participants.

“Mavericks is the crown jewel of big wave surfing and the tour,” Lamb said in a press release. “It’s the only California big wave venue on the tour and perhaps the most feared. I’m excited at the direction we’re headed. It was only a matter of time for the women. I couldn’t be more excited to watch those heats and I’ll definitely be front row glued to the action.”

samantha@smdailyjournal.com

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