Mavericks Surf Contest
Presented by Sony Ericsson

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

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Highlights include results of “surfonomics” study, solar-powered land operations &“green” partners

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 19 November, 2009 : - - Half Moon Bay -- Mavericks Surf Ventures, Inc. (Mavericks) today announced the continuation of its efforts to advance a strong and long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility at the site and activities associated with the annual Mavericks Surf Contest®.

"Mavericks is a natural phenomenon of the highest order. We, our partners, and the heroes who surf here hold the environment in great esteem," said Mavericks CEO Keir J. Beadling.  "The Mavericks family is committed to preserving the beauty and health of the local ecology. We have made 'Stewardship' one of our core corporate values. 

Most of our efforts have been focused on protecting the area around the Mavericks break itself. That's where the company got its start, and where we continue to have the largest potential impact. But we hope to make broader contributions as well. We want to encourage people from all over the world, educate them on ways to make positive contributions in their own coastal communities. 

Serious respect for the environment has been at the core of our event's DNA since day one. This year we will make even more ambitious efforts." “

The Green Team Returns. This year, Mavericks will again partner with environmental sponsor Save The Waves to help educate fans about minimizing their impact on the area as well as on their own lives. Building on a highly successful program that engineered the world’s first environmentally-neutral surf contest in 2006, and that produced just 20 bags of garbage from 50,00 fans in 2008, the Saves The Waves Green Team will return to ensure Mavericks remains at the forefront of event-based environmental responsibility. 

In addition, Save The Waves’ works closely with Mavericks’ Environmental Manager to oversee and support the entire spectrum of Mavericks’ environmental initiatives, including Mavericks’ use of cutting-edge solar technologies to power all onsite Contest operations in 2009/2010.

First Solar-Powered Event. Notions of environmental responsibility are moving beyond mere carbon offset credits, and Mavericks is moving along with them.  This year's Contest will be the first major surfing event using solar-powered generators to provide power to all land-based operations.

  This new technology from Mobile Green Power, Inc. is a completely green, renewable energy source with zero emissions, zero carbon footprint and zero noise.  Even on a Contest Day with little to no sunlight, the solar generators will produce a consistent power source, and bring a completely new dimension to outdoor sporting events.

Alternative Viewing Options.  As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce foot traffic at the event and entice fans to experience the Contest remotely, this season Mavericks has launched its most ambitious webcast offering to-date. Millions of fans witnessed the 2008 Contest via a live webcast. This year, Mavericks and Ustream have teamed up to bring viewers around the world an opportunity to experience the thrill of Mavericks via a live webcast powered by Ustream, the leading live broadcasting platform on the internet.

This partnership, as well as Mavericks’ partnership with Facebook will provide fans with an unprecedented level of interactivity while viewing the contest.  Fans will also have the option of watching the contest while on the go, thanks to a deal with FLO TV, provider of the award-winning live mobile FLO TV™ service. Through the deal with FLO TV, surf fans will be able to watch the competition on mobile handsets starting on November 1 and on in-car entertainment systems and consumer electronics devices like the FLO TV™ Personal Television launching later in the year. 

The “It’s On!” SMS campaign will once again allow fans to sign up to receive a cell phone text message alert as soon as the Contest green light is given (text “MAVERICKS” to 81595).  And the day’s activities will again be available via a unique live webcast viewing event at AT&T Park—“baseball’s perfect address” and the home of the San Francisco Giants. Finally, Jim Beam will host a number of smaller webcast viewing parties at key west coast bars and restaurants to be announced. 

Contest Partners’ “Greening” Efforts.  A number of this season’s sponsor partners bring deep experience in environmental sustainability and responsibility.  Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has set a goal of being entirely energy efficient by 2010.  It recently commissioned the first phase of what will be one of the country's largest private solar installations, right on the heels of building one of the largest fuel cell installations in the United States.

On Contest Day, SNBC will have a sustainability representative on-hand to provide an overview of the company’s history and all the state-of-the-art technologies employed to reduce waste and maximize efficiency. More information is available at sierranevada.com/environment.html

Mavericks’ official host hotel, Oceano Resort and Spa, is one of California's most environmentally-sound luxury hotels.  Oceano’s activities include, for example, a laundry facility utilizing low energy and a biodegradable cleaning program, the most innovative and environmental friendly chemical-free room cleaning technology on the West Coast, an in-room recycling program, preferred parking for LEV and FEV (low emitting vehicles, fuel efficient vehicles), water-efficient landscaping that utilizes native and drought-tolerant plants, and reclaimed cooking oil used to produce Bio Diesel fuel.  More information is available at oceanohalfmoonbay.com/?p=features

Contest sponsor Rickshaw Bagworks, Inc. is a San Francisco-based messenger bag and urban gear company focused on sustainable design and drawing inspiration from the “zero waste” manufacturing movement.  By eliminating scrap and recycling materials, making use of domestically-sourced fabric, webbing, plastic components and labels, Rickshaw has shortened its  raw material supply chain and reduced its ecological footprint.   Rickshaw and Mavericks have partnered to produce an eco-friendly Mavericks™ messenger bag, and are even exploring creating future Mavericks™ bags utilizing recycled material such as the actual Mavericks Surf Contest® banners deployed onsite on Contest Day. More information is available at rickshawbags.com

Contest sponsor Capture Technologies is the official provider of all Mavericks Official Competitor and Media credentials, identification and security cards.  This year, Capture Technologies’ security and ID solutions for the event are bioPVC based.  BioPVC is an environmentally healthy product that is fully biodegradable immediately upon contact with a fertile environment.

Save The Waves “Mavericks: Value of a Wave ” Study. Mavericks non-profit partner Save The Waves Coalition recently announced the preliminary results of its "Surfonomics" study on the impact of the Mavericks wave to the regional economy in and around Half Moon Bay.  The study, which is part of the organization’s Surfonomics series of academic research on the economic, social, cultural, and environmental value of waves to local and regional communities, found that the world-famous break and surrounding area has an estimated economic value of nearly $24 million per year, based on approximately 420,000 annual visitors.

“Mavericks is an iconic, world-renowned surf break that’s truly unique,” said Save The Waves executive director Dean LaTourrette. “This study provides evidence of not just its environmental value, but of its economic value as well. This further reinforces the notion that it and other special coastal areas around the world need and deserve to be protected.”  The study was conducted by University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, in partnership with the Center for Responsible Travel at Stanford University, under the guidance of Save The Waves Coalition. 

This and other similar research will also help support a larger initiative launched by Save The Waves in 2008, the World Surfing Reserves program - which aims to proactively designate and protect the world's greatest waves and their surrounding environments. More information is available at savethewaves.org.  Additionally, during this year’s Contest, Jim Beam will make a $5,000 donation to benefit Save The Waves, as well as offer fans a limited edition label that supports the protection of coastal environments.   

Mavericks Education Program.  This year, Mavericks is taking its message to classrooms throughout Northern California as part of its classroom education program.  Much of California’s youth lives only miles from the Pacific Ocean, yet an alarming number of elementary, middle, and high school students – including those in the San Francisco Bay Area – rarely, if ever, see the ocean or explore issues relating to marine conservation, wave science, and surfing. The Mavericks Education Program intends to bring the ocean to the classroom by educating youth on Mavericks, the ocean, surfing, and marine pollution.

Environmental Partners.  Contest organizers work closely with the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS), to protect the wildlife and the habitats of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (Sanctuary) where the contest takes place. GFNMS enforces the rules and regulations designed to protect one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the planet. Since the contest takes place during a time in which seabirds and marine mammals are engaged in breeding activities or in migrating through, the sanctuary will help to minimize wildlife disturbance and provide information to attendees about minimizing their impact on the environment. 
 
Other environmental associates working closely with Mavericks to ensure that the ocean, beach and surrounding area are protected include the San Mateo County Harbor District, the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Thank You Ocean, the California Coastal Commission, Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth, World Savvy, Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce Eco-Tourism Initiative, Pacifica Beach Coalition, and the San Mateo County History Museum.  More information regarding Mavericks’ Environmental Policy can be found at maverickssurf.com/environ/index.php

Fans can purchase eco-friendly clothing from Mavericks.  Fans on the beach at this year’s contest can get a first-hand look at items from the Mavericks™ apparel line that were made with an eye towards environmental preservation.  Several t-shirts and hoodies that were made from either 100% recycled materials or 100% organic materials will be available for purchase on the beach on contest day, as well as year round at mavericsksurf.com

About Mavericks™ and The Mavericks Surf Contest® Every winter season, Mother Nature offers up the ocean’s harshest conditions and the giant, unpredictable waves that characterize Mavericks and the annual Mavericks Surf Contest®.  Frigid waters, dangerous currents, jagged rocks and the ever-present threat of the great white shark. When weather conditions are just right, the 24 chosen surfers will make the official contest call. Once the call is made, they will have only 24 hours to arrive in Half Moon Bay to face the extreme conditions, thunderous waves and each other. 

Coined as "the wave beyond," the Mavericks™ brand 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. Mavericks remains true to its core: a cold, mysterious and foreboding place that demands respect from everyone who goes there and inspires them to attempt the extraordinary.  2009/2010 Contest Sponsors include Sony Ericsson, Jim Beam® Bourbon, Barracuda Networks, Moose Guen and Jane Sutherland of MVision, Facebook, the Bay Club, The Corporate Law Group, Gnarly Head Wines, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Airship Ventures, Vertical Response, Surfer Magazine, Oceano Hotel & Spa, Stormsurf.com, Rickshaw Bagworks, and Capture Technologies. For more information, including photos, surf conditions, Official Mavericks™ gear, and contest highlights, visit Mavericks online.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Mavericks Surf Contest wait period kicks off November 1
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

www.maverickssurf.com

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