The Mavericks Invitational is the world’s premier, high adrenaline, big wave surfing event. This one-day, invitation-only surfing competition is held at the legendary Mavericks surf break located near Half Moon Bay, only 20 minutes south of San Francisco and near the heart of California’s Silicon Valley. The 24 best and 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.
Contest Date…
has been set for Sunday, January 20. The first heat starts at 8 a.m. The final heat will take place in the afternoon, depending on conditions. The Awards Ceremony will take place on the stage at the Mavericks Festival, and the event ends at sunset.
Heat Selections
The heats are now drawn for the 2012-13 season. This looks to be a fierce competition. All we need are the waves!
| Heat #1 | Heat #2 | Heat #3 | Heat #4 |
| Peter Mel | Chris Bertish | Tyler Smith | Alex Martins |
| Dave Wassel | Jamie Sterling | Ryan Augenstein | Anthony Tashnick |
| Mark Healey | Grant Washburn | Zach Wormhoudt | Grant Baker |
| Kelly Slater | Shawn Dollar | Shane Dorian | Ben Wilkinson |
| Ken Collins | Nathan Fletcher | Greg Long | Carlos Burle |
| Rusty Long | Matt Ambrose | Ryan Seelbach | Shane Desmond |
Opening Ceremony: A Celebration of Surfing
This year’s Opening Ceremony took place on the beach on Friday, November 9r. The day features the official Opening Ceremony and paddle-out to share the spirit of this special place with the community that embraces the world of big wave surfing. The Opening Ceremony is a ritual unlike any other, where fans can meet the surfers, paddle out for the ceremony and experience the power of ocean that brings us all together.
The Call
Once the season opens in November, the watching and waiting begins. The “call” is a perfect blend of art, science and experience: tracking the waves, the wind, the tides, the swell direction and duration, understanding the ideal weather conditions and taking that chance. The best satellite reports will never replace experience and knowledge of Mavericks. When all the factors are right, the crew will make the call and give the 24-hour notice that the Mavericks Invitational is on!
Where to Watch
The waves at Mavericks break ½ mile offshore, hardly visible from the tiny stretch of beach at the end of Pillar Point. Due to environmental and safety concerns, there is no public access to Pillar Point, the beach or the bluffs during the competition.
The MAVERICKS FESTIVAL is the place to watch all the action and get up close and personal with the surfers. Located on the outdoor grounds of the Oceano Hotel & Harbor Village, the festival features live action on the JumboTron, music, food, a Beer Garden sponsored by Sierra Nevada, and full access to the Awards Ceremony taking place on stage at the Festival. The festival grounds are on the road to Mavericks, adjacent to award-winning restaurants, sports bars and Princeton Harbor.
Learn more about the Mavericks Festival and how you can get tickets in advance!