Mavericks Surf

OPENING CEREMONY 2009/2010: THE WAIT IS ON

The 2009/2010 Mavericks Surf Contest® Presented by Sony Ericsson and Barracuda Networks Official Waiting Period has begun. On a picture perfect Friday afternoon, The 24 and Alternates, along with family members, friends, and members of the media gathered on the beach at Pillar Point to celebrate the opening of the new 2009/2010 Contest season. The waiting period for this year’s Mavericks Surf Contest® will last from November 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010. During this window, The 24 invitees will wait for Mother Nature to conjure up the “perfect storm” that will produce waves that are 30-40 feet in height. Once such a swell is on the horizon, the 24 contestants themselves will vote on whether to call the Contest.

As the invitees and alternates lined the beach for this year’s photo shoot, they were greeted by a surprise guest. Surfing pioneer Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz gave a heartfelt speech in which he spoke of how proud he was of each of these men for the contributions that they have made to the sport of big-wave surfing. “As long as you surf, surfing will keep you,” said the 90 year-old Paskowitz, whose son Abraham and grandson Levi were also on hand. The group was also addressed by long-time Mavericks surfer Peter Mel, as well as by former Contest champions Greg Long, Darryl “Flea” Virostko, and Anthony Tashnick. Each athlete described what surfing Mavericks means to them, and all spoke of how proud they were to be part of the brotherhood of Mavericks chargers.

Everyone then paddled out towards Mavericks to continue the tradition of joining in a circle to honor the new big-wave season at Mavericks.

The Field is Set. Unlike other big-wave contests, Mavericks invitees draw numbered golf balls to determine whom they will compete against in the six-man, first round heats. The invitees themselves have chosen this method of seeding because they believe it mirrors the unpredictability of Mavericks itself in that “you never know what you’re going to get.” Below are the official random heat draws presented in the order they were chosen by the surfers themselves for the 2009 Contest:

Heat One: Evan Slater, Darryl “Flea” Virostko, Ion Banner, Dave Wassell, Grant “Twiggy” Baker, Tyler Smith

Heat Two: Peter Mel, Shane Desmond, Zach Wormhoudt, Nathan Fletcher, Matt Ambrose, Anthony Tashnick

Heat Three: Brock Little, Tim West Jr., Kenny “Skindog” Collins, Josh Loya, Greg Long, Carlos Burle

Heat Four: Chris Bertish, Grant Washburn, Ryan Seelbach, Ben Andrews, Shawn Rhodes, Jamie Sterling

Record Prize Purse and Jim Beam Jersey at stake. This year, the invitees will compete for a record-breaking $150,000 prize purse, including $50,000 to the Champion. The purse is personally funded by Mavericks benefactors Moose Guen and Jane Sutherland of MVision, and Barracuda Networks. Mavericks will also introduce the “Jim Beam Jersey” to this year’s lineup—a distinctive jersey to be worn by the 2008 Mavericks Champion as he battles to defend his hard-earned title. In addition, a $5,000 "Gnarliest Drop" award will be offered to the surfer who exhibits the most impressive drop-in of the day.

2009/2010 Contest Sponsors include Sony Ericsson, Barracuda Networks, Jim Beam® Bourbon, Moose Guen and Jane Sutherland of MVision, Facebook, Ustream, the Bay Club, The Corporate Law Group, Gnarly Head Wines, Sier ra Nevada Brewing Co., Airship Ventures, Vertical Response, Surfer Magazine, Oceano Hotel & Spa, Stormsurf.com, Rickshaw Bagworks, and Capture Technologies.

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.

Watch LIVE on your phone – thanks to FLO TV - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Watch LIVE at AT&T Park – see it on the biggest screen around – BUY TICKETS

Watch LIVE from your computer – at www.facebook.com/mavericks

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).