2004/05 Mavericks Surf Contest

Paddle-in Big Wave contest
Mavericks, California, USA
1 December 2004 - 31 March 2005

www.maverickssurf.com 

Contest photo gallery by Frank Quirarte

Anthony Tashnick wins The Mavericks Surf Contest™

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, San Francisco, Ca, 02 March 2005; -- HALF MOON BAY, Calif. The 2004/2005 Mavericks Surf Contest™ was held today, with 20-year-old Santa Cruz resident Anthony Tashnick crowned as the new champion, walking away $25,000 richer. Tashnick and his fellow competitors faced waves cresting over 40 feet at times, amidst a flotilla of spectatorboats and a slew of helicopters swarming overhead.

"Today was a great day for Mavericks, a great day for surfing, and one we won't soon forget," commented Contest Director Jeff Clark. Police officials' estimates suggested as many as 50,000 spectators flocked to Half Moon Bay to mingle on the beach and get a glimpse of "the most dangerous wave in the world."

A last minute injury-related withdrawl by three-time champion Darryl "Flea" Virostko opened the door for the rest of the field, with the talented Tashnick pulling away from an all-star group while surviving pummeling surf. Tashnick added from the awards stage, "It was a dream come true and worth the beating I took to be out there surfing with my heroes."

The podium and Balance Vector prize purse was shared by Greg Long (2nd), Tyler Smith (3rd), Zack Wormhoudt (4th), Shane Desmond (5th), Matt Ambrose (6th), and Brock Little and Shawn Rhodes (equal 7th). Matt Ambrose received the prestigious Jay Moriarity award, and Ryan Augustine received the Reactor Watches Heavy Water Award. NBC Sports will broadcast the contest on April 24th at 4pm ET.

Mavsurfer Notes:
Anthony Tashnick put in a solid performance all day long and finished it off in the finals catching the best big waves. Shane Desmond from Santa Cruz dropped into what some are calling a twenty five footer with a fifty foot face. That wave would have made the tow crews envious. Greg Long and Zach Wormhoudt also bagged a couple of giant ones. Matt Ambrose was awarded for his continued dedication and hard charging spirit. Matt was one of the notorious Pedro Point crew who was introduced to the spot by Jeff Clark early on and hasn't stopped charging ever since.

Ryan Augustine is one of Mavericks newest chargers who is following in the footsteps of Flea, Peter Mel and the rest of the Santa Cruz Hellmen. Flea injured his knee at the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Event and couldn't surf in the contest. Be he was out on a boat cheering on Anthony Tashnick and the rest of the Santa Cruz Westside contingent.

The water angle photo gallery is now up at Mavsurfer.com.
Check the photos out at www.mavsurfer.com/frank_quirarte/contest_05
The cliff angle photo gallery and some great video clips up shortly

More photos;- A womans view
Read an Associated Press article at Signonsandiego.com
And check out Paul McHugh's article at SFGate.com  

Results are as follows;-

FINAL RESULTS:
1st - Anthony Tashnick
2nd - Greg Long
3rd - Tyler Smith
4th - Zach Wormhoudt
5th - Shane Desmond
6th - Matt Ambrose

REOUND 1 RESULTS:

ROUND 1 - HEAT 1 (Top 3 advance)
1st - Brock Little
2nd - Tyler Smith
3rd - Shane Desmond
4th - Carlos Burle
5th - Peter Mel
6th - Ion Banner
7th - Mike Brummet

ROUND 1 - HEAT 2 (Top 3 advance)
1st - Ryan Augustine
2nd - Matt Ambrose
3rd - Ryan Seelbach
4th - Russel Smith
5th - Ken "Skindog" Collins
6th - Jake Wormhoudt
7th - Darryl "Flea" Virostko

ROUND 1 - HEAT 3 (Top 3 advance)
1st - Greg Long
2nd - Evan Slater
3rd - Zach Wormhoudt
4th - Rodrigo Resende
5th - Troy Virotsko
6th - Grant Washburn
7th - Danilo Couto

ROUND 1 - HEAT 4 (Top 3 advance)
1st - Anthony Tashnick
2nd - Eraldo Gueiros
3rd - Shawn Rhodes
4th - Garrett Macnamera
5th - Randy Cone
6th - Kevin Vanderpol
7th - Nacho Lopez

SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SEMIFINAL # 1 (Top 3 advance)
1st - Shane Desmond
2nd - Tyler Smith
3rd - Matt Ambrose
4th - Brock Little
5th - Ryan Seelbach
6th - Ryan Augustine

SEMIFINAL # 2 (Top 3 advance)
1st - Zach Wormhoudt
2nd - Anthony Tashnick
3rd - Greg Long
4th - Shawn Rhodes
5th - Evan Slater
6th - Eraldo Gueiros

Further information is available at the official website, www.maverickssurf.com , powered by Bolt Media. Sponsors of this year's $75,000 Mavericks Surf Contest™ include Coca-Cola, Verizon Wireless, Balance Vector, Jeep, the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, Cabo Wabo Tequila, Reactor Watches, Plantronics, Clif Bar and Surfer Magazine.

About The Mavericks Surf Contest™ and Mavericks Surf Ventures, LLC:
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 2004-05, 24 invited surfers will battle to determine the next Champion of The Mavericks Surf Contest™.

More USA/Cen Amer. surfing news available here
Check the latest West Coast Surf Reports and Forcasts

Keir J. Beadling
Mavericks Surf Ventures, LLC
415.595.3741
maverickssurf@evolve-sports.com
www.maverickssurf.com  

Big Wave Events - Surfersvillage