So you want to check out Mavericks Invitational? Here’s your guide to viewing the contest.
Best Bet
Watch the free webcast online at www.mavericksinvitational.com or redbulltv.com. The professional webcast is live from land and sea, bringing all the action right to your home. And for the first time ever, the finals will be broadcast LIVE on Universal Sports: Universal Sports Network is available on the sports tiers of Time Warner Cable, Cox, Verizon FiOS, satellite providers DIRECTV and DISH and numerous regional cable and IPTV operators in markets across the country.Additionally, Mavericks Invitational will be available to all Verizon FiOS (Ch. 596) and DIRECTV (Ch. 625) customers during this month’s free preview windows.
If you want to come to the coast to catch the action with big wave fans, then try the Mavericks Viewing Festival. Held on the grounds of the Oceano Hotel & Spa, the festival features live streaming of the contest on jumbo HD screens, live commentary on stage, and the official awards ceremony at the end of the day. There’s also music, food trucks, water and beverage stations, and beer from our Official Beer Sponsor, Sierra Nevada. Our sponsors will be there with giveaways, merchandise, and more! Kids will enjoy activities including the skateboard park (conditions permitting). The Mavericks Photo Gallery and autograph booth is the place to go to meet the surfers, or wander over to the surfboard shaping bay to see legendary shaper Floyd Smith working on his latest board. Guests can leave the festival to visit our local shops and restaurants, and then return for more of the fun. General Admission tickets are $15, and kids under 5 are free. Other VIP packages are available. Check it out.
Watching from the Beach and Bluffs
…is no longer possible. On contest day, the beach and bluffs are closed to the public. Why? On days when Mavericks is huge, the small beach is under water during high tide. The bluffs are environmentally sensitive areas and wildlife habitats that cannot handle the crowds that descend on the coast on contest day. For public safety, the streets and paths leading to Pillar Point are closed by law enforcement agencies.
Parking
Parking is provided by and benefits the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside. Parking is located at the Half Moon Bay Airport, with a walking path right to the Festival and local restaurants and businesses. Click here for parking information.
Traffic
Let’s face it: there’s a two-lane highway running through the small coastal town of Half Moon Bay — one lane in each direction. Be prepared for long traffic delays if you plan on driving into town. Your best bet is to make the trek early in the morning and park at the Half Moon Bay airport, walking distance to the festival. Better yet, find alternate ways to get to Princeton, which is about 4 miles north of downtown Half Moon Bay. Many visitors park in the state beach parking lots and ride their bikes along the beautiful coastal trail right to the festival. Thanks to Bike Works of Half Moon Bay, free bike valet is available at the Festival.
Weather
The coastside is beautiful in the winter, with warmer temperatures between the cold start to the morning and end of the day. Dress in layers to adapt to the changing conditions. Contest day also means that the waves will be big at every beach in the area. If you walk out to any of the local beaches that are open to the public that day, please be careful and watch out for monster waves. And thank you for keeping our beaches clean by packing your trash!