HALF MOON BAY, CA (April 13, 2012) –The 2011/2012 Mavericks Awards honored the fearless big wave surfers who charged the massive liquid mountains at the infamous Mavericks break throughout this past season.  The awards recognized their achievements by showcasing those surfers who not only challenged Mavericks, but also, their contributions to the sport of big wave surfing.  The daring men and women were honored for their intrepid performances and triumphs during this year’s Mavericks Festival; the first event to bring together the Mavericks surfing community, and its fans for a day of celebration and fun.

The judging panel for the Mavericks Awards was hosted by Contest Director Jeff Clark and included author Bruce Jenkins, surfer/shaper Matt Ambrose, surfer/filmmaker Grant Washburn, and surfing legend Dick Keating, all of whom poured over hours upon hours of video footage and hundreds of still photos taken during the 2011 – 2012 season at Mavericks, but most of the award-winning rides came from two swells, one on January 4^th – 5^th and February 8^th- 9^th. The group unanimously agreed on all the on the top award candidates and winners.

The stand-out and big winner of the awards was Hawaii’s Shane Dorian, taking three of the seven awards, including: Mavericks Barrel of the Year, Mavericks Bomb of the Year, and Mavericks Male Performance of the Year.  Dorian first surfed Maverick’s in 2010 but has yet to compete in the contest.

Clark stated, “This is a guy who came in here and was a man on a mission and just upped the bar for everybody”.  Clark continued, “He set a new bar.”

Though not many females charge the swell, some do have the courage it takes, and Santa Cruz’s Savannah Shaughnessy is one of them.  She rightfully took home the Mavericks Female Performance of the Year award.

Shaughnessy stated, “I surfed five days at Maverick’s, and that was the only clean day”.  She went on to say, “But it made all the other days of having to work and not getting many good waves worth it.”

Frank Quirarte of Pacifica won the Mavericks Photo of the Year, taken of Santa Cruz’s Ken “Skindog” Collins.

“Every year amazing things happen in the water, and it’s overdue to reward that,” said Collins, who was nominated for a 45-foot “glassy monster” he rode Feb. 8.

Quirarte dedicated his award to a fellow surf photographer and hero, Mike Prickett, who recently suffered from Decompression saving the life of a diver while filming a commercial video in Tahiti.

The only three time Mavericks champion, Darryl “Flea” Virostko, was honored with the Mavericks Legend award.

In his acceptance speech, Virostko said, “Mavericks made me, and it broke me.  Thank you, it’s been fun.”

Complete list of 2011/2012 Mavericks Awards winners:

• Mavericks Wipeout of the Year – Carlos Burle, Brazil

• Mavericks Barrel of the Year – Shane Dorian, Hawaii

• Mavericks Bomb of the Year – Shane Dorian, Hawaii

• Mavericks Photo of the Year – Photographer Frank Quirarte, Pacifica; Surfer: Ken “Skindog” Collins, Santa Cruz

• Mavericks Male Performance of the Year – Shane Dorian, Hawaii

• Mavericks Female Performance of the Year – Savannah Shaughnessy, Santa Cruz

• Mavericks Legend/Lifetime Achievement Award – Darryl “Flea” Virostko, Santa Cruz

The Mavericks Awards were given at the Mavericks Festival on March 31, 2012; sponsors include: The Oceano Hotel & Spa, Mavericks Surf Shop, GoPro, Red Bull, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, Green Planet Water, Recology of the Coast, PowerBar, Sam’s Chowder Mobile, Nesquik, Kinesys Performance Sunscreen, Crab Landing, Coastside Net and EZ-ATM.

About Mavericks Invitational:

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 1⁄2 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 2011 / 2012 winter season. For additional details, visit: http://mavericksinvitational.com/.

###

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jessica Banks

jessicabanks@mavericksinvitational.com

(650) 279 – 1872

Legendary big wave surfer and Mavericks founder, Jeff Clark talked to Sarah & Vinnie about growing up surfing on Northern California’s rugged coast, getting started at Mavericks, and the upcoming film “Of Men And Mavericks” with Gerard Butler.

Not many people in the world have the stuff to ride the legendary waves at Northern California’s Mavericks Point. Jeff Clark started surfing the notorious break in 1975 at age 17 and has seen Mavericks popularity grow to a world wide phenomenon including a competition and now a Hollywood film with Gerard Butler.

When asked how he got started surfing, Jeff said, “As a youngster my parents always spent time at the beach – fishing and family picnics – and one of these guys said, ‘Here’s a board – come with me. Go out in the ocean.’ I was terrified when I was a kid sometimes but that didn’t stop me. You know it is all about what you do with fear. Does it motivate you or stop you in the tracks. And apparently it motivated me.”
Read more: Jeff Clark Talks Surfing Maverick’s And Gerard Butler In ‘Of Men And Mavericks’ http://radioalice.radio.com/2012/03/27/jeff-clark-talks-surfing-mavericks-and-gerard-butler-in-of-men-and-mavericks/#ixzz1qY3WvDvl

HALF MOON BAY, CA (March 27, 2012) – The Mavericks Invitational holding period
closes this week, and though there is a current storm system in place, the likelihood of
contest worthy conditions hitting the break by the 31st is very slim. Though this year’s La
Nina winter did not produce the waves needed to hold the infamous big wave surf
contest, Mavericks Invitational will still celebrate the power of Mavericks and those who
surf the giant liquid mountains.

The group is hosting the first Mavericks Festival, being held outdoors on the grounds of
the Oceana Hotel & Spa in Princeton Harbor, Half Moon Bay, on March 31, the final day
of the contest window.

“There’s very little possibility we will get a swell with the current storm that is hitting the
coast, but realistically there are no significant conditions on the horizon before the
contest window closes.” said Contest Director, Jeff Clark. “We are stoked to have the
opportunity to share the Mavericks season and honor the surfers who challenged the
waves at the Mavericks Festival on the 31st.”

The Mavericks Festival will be emceed by the Bay Area’s own, Eric Byrnes, who’s MLB
career began with the Oakland As, and currently has a nightly show on KNBR from 7pm
– 10pm. The festival will also have a full line-up of bands, surfing video presentations on
the JumboTron, local food vendors, giveaways, Mavericks Invitational gear, and some
very special tributes and presentations.

Festival goers will also be treated to live performances by the bands: Dank Jenkins, Bar
Fight, and The Expendables. Additional information can be found at:

http://mavericksinvitational.com/.

The highlight of the day will be the inaugural Mavericks Awards. The concept behind the
awards is that every year the sport of big wave surfing witnesses a push of progress,
raising the level of performance in one of the world’s most extreme sports. This progress
does not always happen on the contest day. Some of the greatest achievements in big
wave history go unnoticed or can even be overshadowed by the contest itself. The
Mavericks Awards will acknowledge and award those who challenge Mavericks and their
contributions to the sport of big wave surfing.

The 2012 Mavericks Awards categories Include:

• Mavericks Barrel of the Year
• Mavericks Bomb of the Year
• Mavericks Photo of the Year
• Mavericks Female Performer of the Year
• Mavericks Performance of the Year
• 5150 Award (for the most insane wave of the year at Mavericks)

The judging panel for the Mavericks Awards include Jeff Clark, Bruce Jenkins, Matt
Ambrose, Grant Washburn, and Dick Keating, who looked over hours of video footage
and hundreds of still photos taken during the 2011 – 2012 season at Mavericks. The
group unanimously agreed on all the on the top award candidates and winners.

Tickets to the Mavericks Festival are available at Mavericks Surf Shop, 25 Johnson Pier,
Half Moon Bay, or online at http://mavericksinvitational.com/. General admission tickets
are $25 ($35 at the door), and parking will be available for $10 at the Half Moon Bay
Airport, with proceeds benefiting the Coastside Boys & Girls Club.

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 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 2011 / 2012 winter season. For
additional details, visit: http://mavericksinvitational.com/.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessica Banks
jessicabanks@mavericksinvitational.com
(650) 279 – 1872

The monster waves at Mavericks attract big wave surfers from around the world. But what exactly makes these Half Moon Bay waves so big?

Mother Nature may not have given us the waves we needed for a contest this year, but that doesn’t mean we let the season end with a whimper. We’re throwing a party, rain or shine, and you’re invited!

What’s Up?

• Gates open at 9:00 a.m. on the grounds of the Oceano Hotel & Spa in Princeton Harbor. Parking is at the Half Moon Bay Airport beginning at 8 a.m. for $10, benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside.
• Ticket-holders receive a commemorative poster, entry to the festival and Awards, and giveaways from our sponsors. We’ll have some great grub on site too!
• The first band to take the stage is Dank Jenkins at 10:00 a.m.  Awesome band with a reggae vibe from San Francisco.
• Live interviews on stage with our host, the Bay Area’s own, Eric Byrnes, who’sMLB career began with the Oakland As, and currently has a nightly show on KNBR, along with incredible video on the JumboTron featuring the history and legends of Mavericks.
• The second band hits the stage at 1:00 p.m. Who’s up? Barfight. San Francisco-based band with a sweet blend of rock, country and attitude.
• The inaugural Mavericks Awards start at 2:30 p.m. featuring the greatest moments from the 2011-12 season (see below for details).
• Our headliner is the renowned Santa Cruz band The Expendables! Blending Reggae, Punk Rock, and 80s style dueling guitar solos, The Expendables have made heads turn and floors shake for years.
• The party ends at 5:00, just in time to enjoy the localscene, including the after-party at Old Princeton Landing.
• Questions? We have answers!

The Mavericks Awards.

Every year the sport of big wave surfing witnesses a push of progress, raising the level of performance in one of the world’s most extreme sports. This progress does not always happen on the contest day. Some of the greatest achievements in big wave history go unnoticed or can even be overshadowed by the contest itself.

Mavericks Invitational Inc.’s goal is to showcase the power of Mavericks beyond a one-day event, to recognize achievements that take place all season long, and acknowledge those who challenge Mavericks and their contributions to the sport of big wave surfing.

We’ll be giving out awards for:

• Mavericks Barrel of the Year
• Mavericks Bomb of the Year
• Mavericks Photo of the Year
• Mavericks Female Performer,of the Year
• Mavericks Performance of the Year
• 5150 Award (for the most insane wave of the year at Mavericks)

All ticket holders receive the Official 2012 Mavericks Invitational poster and product samples from:

• PowerBar
• Green Planet Water
• Kinesys
• Nesquik

GREAT Festival food from:

• Sam’s ChowderMobile
• Crab Landing

Live Performances By:

• BAR FIGHT
• DANK JENKINS
• THE EXPENDABLES

Outside the Festival area – Princeton-by-the-Sea, Pillar Point Harbor:

• Half Moon Bay Brewing Co., featuring Mavericks Big Wave Ale
• Old Princeton Landing Bar & Grill
• Harbor Village – unique shops and services
• Jeff Clark’s Mavericks Surf Shop
• Antique / Collectables stores

The high waves fueled speculation the Mavericks Invitational surf contest might happen soon. The Half Moon Bay competition could occur anytime within a three-month window that began this month, with surfers given 24 hours of notice.

And on Saturday, surf enthusiasts, led by the Half Moon Bay Surf Club, Surfrider Foundation and Ocean Conservancy, will be giving something in return by channeling their energy into a beach cleanup at Pillar Point. Jan. 21 marks the third annual Underwater Parks Day, an event designed to celebrate California’s growing network of marine protected areas. Two new underwater parks off of Pillar Point make this a particularly fitting place to celebrate.

Read the full article »

Read the full article »

Read the full Insert »

More than a dozen of the world’s best surfers joined their fans and even some politicians on the shore near Mavericks on Friday afternoon for opening ceremonies marking the newly re-imagined Mavericks Invitational surf contest.

The contest window officially opened Jan. 1, and the waves arrived right on schedule. Surfers paddled out into a wet winter swell last week as final plans were being made for the upcoming contest, The contest, which took a hiatus for a year due to internal squabbling among organizers and insufficient waves, could be held on 24 hours notice any time between now and March 31.

Read the full article »