Season Opens on November 1, 2013
Mavericks Invitational© presented by GoPro has released the official list of competitors and alternates for the 2013-14 season.
On just 24 hours notice this winter season, 24 big-wave surfers will make the trek to Half Moon Bay, California, to test their skill and vie for the title of Champion of the Mavericks Invitational. Competitors will face the dangerous elements of the frigid northern California waters in search of the perfect ride on massive waves.
This year’s list of nominees was determined by committee of five comprising Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark, Big Wave World Tour founder Gary Linden, three-time Mavericks champion Darryl Virostko, and respected big wave surfers Greg Long and Shawn Dollar. The list of nominees was sent to last year’s competitors and alternates, who then voted for their top picks.
Contest organizers announced that the contest waiting period will open on November 1, 2013, and run through March 31, 2014. Organizers have secured the permit from the San Mateo County Harbor District for this year and through 2016.
“We’re all stoked to be back for another year,” said Clark. “The 2013-14 season looks promising, with a lot of positive changes made for the competitors and fans. The perfect contest day we’re looking for is typically a northwest groundswell between 18 and 20 feet (translating into waves faces of 30- to 40-feet).” The contestants receive the famous green light alert and have approximately 24 hours to arrive for the event.
The 24 Invited Competitors:
- Ryan Augenstein (Santa Cruz, CA)
- Grant Baker (South Africa)
- Chris Bertish (South Africa)
- Carlos Burle (Brazil)
- Kohl Christensen (Hawaii)
- Ken Collins (Santa Cruz, CA)
- Shawn Dollar (Santa Cruz, CA)
- Shane Dorian (Hawaii)
- Colin Dwyer (Pacifica, CA)
- Nathan Fletcher (San Clemente, CA)
- Tyler Fox (Aptos, CA)
- Mark Healey (Hawaii)
- Nic Lamb (Santa Cruz, CA)
- Greg Long (San Clemente, CA)
- Rusty Long (San Clemente, CA)
- Alex Martins (Brazil)
- Peter Mel (Santa Cruz, CA)
- Ryan Seelbach (San Francisco, CA)
- Jamie Sterling (Hawaii)
- Anthony Tashnick (Santa Cruz, CA)
- Grant Washburn (San Francisco, CA)
- Dave Wassell (Hawaii)
- Ben Wilkinson (Australia)
- Zach Wormhoudt (Santa Cruz, CA)
The Alternates:
- Shane Desmond (Santa Cruz, CA)
- Danilo Couto (Brazil)
- Derek Dunfee (San Diego, CA
- Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL)
- Tyler Smith (Santa Cruz, CA)
- Frank Solomon (South Africa)
In addition, organizers have created a “Watch List” of big wave surfers who are pushing their skill level at Mavericks and in hot pursuit of an invitation to the contest. These surfers are highly respected and will be eligible for consideration for the next contest season:
- Mark Alfaro
- Ben Andrews
- Ion Banner
- Shawn “Barney” Barron
- João deMacedo
- Wyatt Fields
- Mike Gerhardt
- Alex Gray
- Lance Harriman
- Josh Loya
- Andrew Marr
- Garret McNamara
- Jamie Mitchell
- Travis Payne
- Josh Redman
- Shawn Rhodes
- Mike Schlebach
- Russell Smith
- Tim West, Jr.
Mavericks Invitational is the world’s premier, high adrenaline, big wave surfing event. This one-day, invitation-only surf competition is held at the legendary Mavericks surf break located ½ mile offshore at Pillar Point Harbor, just 20 minutes south of San Francisco. The 24 most daring big-wave surfers in the world will attempt to tame the massive swells on the biggest and best day of the winter season. Fans are invited to watch via a live webcast or at the Viewing Festival and the official Awards Ceremony on the grounds of the Oceano Hotel & Spa at Harbor Village.
Mavericks Invitational is presented by GoPro, maker of the world’s most versatile cameras and producer of some of today’s most engaging content. Sierra Nevada is the official Beer Sponsor, and Mavericks Surf Shop is the headquarters for the event.