The Opening Ceremony is an event unique to surfing. It is a chance for the competitors, the surfing community and the fans to gather and celebrate the opening of another big wave season.

The traditional Opening Ceremony and Paddle Out is scheduled for Friday, November 9, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the beach at Pillar Point. The Opening Ceremony is a ritual unlike any other, bringing the athletes, surfers and fans to the beach to commemorate the opening of the big wave season. In the long-honored Hawaiian tradition, surfers then paddle out to the water and form a prayer circle.

“The Opening Ceremony is a special ceremony to gather of the tribe, this family and community of surfers, to join hands and bless the event, ” Clark said. “It’s a chance to bring the competitors and Mavericks community together on a non-contest day, away from the spotlight and commotion of a contest. It’s a time for us to come together in the spirit of family and remember why we do what we do.”

NOTE: This is not the contest. The contest can be called any time between November 9 and March 31.