By Jack Schtuff:
Just south of San Francisco, about 1/2 mile off the coast, surfers paddled into 20-30 foot waves at Mavericks. On December 4, 2007, the swell and underlying reef produced waves that topped 70 feet, but the conditions were less than perfect for the contest.
Last year Mother Nature didn’t cooperate, so the contest was not held. This year, however, with nearly perfect conditions on the horizon, Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark, gave official notice.
Athletes, judges, volunteers and spectators got a 24-hour notice as the Mavericks Big Wave Surf Contest was announced for January, 12, 2008. Everyone rushed to the Half Moon Bay area to organize and prepare for an event that brings thousands of people to the San Mateo County coast.
The best way to watch the event was via live web cast as several hundred thousand tuned in from home. It was a beautiful day at the beach, but I thought it was great to have a little commentary from contest announcers to educate us on the background of Mavericks and the contestants that risk their lives in the cold, shark infested waters.
The majority of the morning was somewhat quiet, but after a thrilling final, when the contest was over the judges made their decisions:
6th Evan Slater
5th Grant Washburn
4th Tyler Smith
3rd Jamie Sterling
2nd Twiggy Baker
1st Greg Long
Congrats to Greg Long from San Clemente, the 2008 Mavericks Champion. Long took home a $4,000 diamond encrusted, Reactor watch and a $30k check, but genuinely showed that he, and the other 23 contestants were there to do what they love. For many of these surfers, it’s about fulfilling a childhood dream as Mavericks tends to set the standard for the biggest and coldest conditions in the world.
Mavericks Surf [website]
4 comments
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January 13, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Coach A
I was fortunate enough to be on a boat from 7:30 - 10:30 - It was a legit experience - unreal to see those waves form and pretty damn fun to be in 20 - 30 foot swells - gotta love the small sense of adventure while admiring guys dropping in on 28 ft walls of water!
January 16, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Jackson
I guess I had it all wrong about the prize money…
Apparently, while the six finalists waited for the last heat to begin, they decided that they would all split the dough - no matter who wins.
So it seems that they all split the $75k…The winner of the event said, “It was a little slow out there. We were just laughing and talking about how amazing our lives are. I think we all agreed: It’s not about the money; it’s about the love of it.”
Clearly it’s not about the money, as we watch thses guys risk there lives for a few bucks. I think professional surfers should have a similar payout to golf professionals, who make millions, and risk getting a cramp while walking from tee box to green.
January 16, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Coach A
Hey - don’t knock a nasty cramp Jackson! I’ve seen you walk 18 @ Half Moon Bay - to say you are not an elite athlete risking life, lung and limb would be unfair!
From the perspective on the boat - you could tell these guys are a close knit group - all encouraging and cheering for each other — it was legit schtuff.
Garrett is too PC to post on this - but ya gotta take a peak - http://deaconbrews.com/2008/01/15/you-gotta-be-fin-kidding-me/
January 16, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Jackson
Maybe you’re right, golf can be dangerous. One must be careful for unknown obstacles, such as the SF garter snake, gopher or egrit. Too many brewskies can also be hazardous…
I like your post on DeaconBrews, I agree completely, but a part of me wants to do something similar with public speaking to grow my business.