Gov't makes list of Mavericks hazards

Mavericks Invitational

Big Wave World Tour
Mavericks, Half Moon Bay California
9 November - 31 March 2012

Despite swell, Mavericks event will take place after New Year's due to government staffing issues

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 18 December, 2012 : - - Several big North Pacific swells are forecast to hit Mavericks and the Bay Area coastline later this week, but the Mavericks Invitational will not be contested until at least January. The contest window opened Nov. 9 and extends through March 31. The event has not been held the last two seasons.

Staging the one-day event requires a number of blackout days due to the unavailability of local agencies involved. While the Christmas and New Year holidays often bring swell, the holidays have a major impact on staffing for law enforcement and local agencies (Sheriff, Fire, Parks, CHP, Harbor District, etc.) Event organisers have therefore blacked out the dates of December 18 through January 1."

Access to the Pillar Point Air Force Station, atop the cliff overlooking Mavericks, and is a key location for filming, photographing and monitoring safety at the event, is also limited. That includes an 11-day stretch at the end of January, which often sees great wave and weather conditions. Six other days in February and six in March are also blacked out due to air station restrictions.

A powerful west northwest swell could see Mavericks' at the 30-foot-plus range Friday and Saturday. The last contest held at Mavericks, on Feb. 10, 2010, was the most epic day of paddle-in big-wave surfing ever contested.

More info www.maverickssurf.com

www.mavericksinvitational.com

Source: M.Surf

Author: The Editors

Tags: Mavericks, Big Wave

Big Wave: Surfersvillage