Mavericks gets new sponsor, renewed prize & zeppelin

2009 Opening Ceremony : photo Mavericks Surf Contest®

Mavericks Surf Contest
Presented by Sony Ericsson & Barracuda Networks

Half Moon Bay, California, USA
1 November 2009 - 31/March 2010

Live Coverage | Results/Photos/Videos etc

New presenting sponsor Barracuda Networks joins Sony Ericsson as presenting sponsor

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 1 December, 2009 : - - Half Moon Bay -- Mavericks Surf Ventures, Inc. (Mavericks) today announced a presenting sponsorship agreement with Barracuda Networks for the 2009/2010 Mavericks Surf Contest®. Already having contributed half of the $150,000 prize purse last year, Barracuda Networks will increase its support for this season’s event, joining Sony Ericsson as a Presenting Sponsor for this year’s competition Barracuda Networks Steps Up its Support.

“We are pleased to take our relationship with Barracuda Networks to the next level,” said Mavericks CEO Keir J. Beadling. “By strengthening this partnership and its support of this season’s contest, Barracuda Networks has further pledged its commitment to the athletes who surf Mavericks.”

“Mavericks is globally-recognized as one of the world’s ultimate big wave surfing events and we are thrilled to support the contest and the athletes again this year,” said Michael Perone, executive vice president and CMO of Barracuda Networks.

$150,000 Up for Grabs. This season, the invitees will again be competing for a prize purse that totals $150,000, with $50,000 going to the Champion. Last season, Mavericks benefactors Moose Guen and Jane Sutherland of MVision personally funded the prize purse, and then Barracuda Networks doubled it. With no event during the 2008/2009 season, both partners agreed to “roll over” the purse to this season as a show of support for the amazing athletes who lay it all on the line on Contest Day.

“We believe Mavericks and the Contest to be a unique event that captures the essence of achieving the impossible.The surfers competing in the event have experience and maturity to manage through a number of challenges, and will share with us some of the most wondrous and impressive exploits. Like Mavericks fans the world over, Jane and I are inspired by this and very proud to be a part of it,” commented Moose Guen.

Along with this year’s Champion receiving $50,000, $25,000 will be given for second place, $15,000 for third, $10,000 for fourth, $8,000 for fifth and $6,000 for sixth. In the democratic spirit of Mavericks, the remaining 18 competitors will each receive a $2,000 appearance fee.

Mavericks Partners with Airship Ventures. Fans will have the unique opportunity to view this year’s event from the world’s largest airship—Airship Ventures’ Zeppelin Eureka. The “Eureka” is a 246-foot airship that accommodates 12 guests per trip, and, weather-permitting, will run 30-minute passenger trips in the sky throughout this season’s Contest Day from Half Moon Bay Airport.

“We’re elated to be able to continue such an innovative partnership,” said Beadling. “Working with Airship Ventures allows fans to experience Mavericks from an entirely new perspective.”

Added Airship Ventures CEO Alex Hall, “We’re thrilled to be able to combine two once-in-a-lifetime experiences: watching these athletes challenge the world’s most dangerous waves and taking flight on the world’s largest airship.”

The spacious cabin comfortably accommodates the pilot, flight attendant, and up to 12 passengers with luxury features including oversized panoramic windows, an onboard restroom with window, and a unique 180-degree rear observation window and “love seat” that wraps the entire aft end of the cabin. More details are available at airshipventures.com or by calling Airship Ventures at (650) 969-8100, ext. 111.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Mavericks Surf Contest wait period kicks off November 1
# 2 : Mavericks takes steps to keep it green for 2009/10 event
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon

www.maverickssurf.com

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