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Sports

Mavericks Invitational to Hold Public Meeting

Contest director Jeff Clark, organizers and public agencies provide event details and safety measures to the public.

More organized and prepared. That’s how public agencies are describing this year’s planning process of the Mavericks Invitational, the one-day, big wave, invitation-only surfing competition held at the legendary Mavericks surf break located one-half mile offshore at Pillar Point Harbor.

Still, with the opening of the event just days away, organizers are inviting the public to learn more about the new contest and the public safety measures in place for this year’s event.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, Jan. 5, at 6 p.m. at the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club, located at 214 Princeton Ave. in Princeton and will include contest organizers, San Mateo County Sheriff, Coastside Fire, San Mateo County Harbor District and multiple agencies involved in the detailed planning for the event, safety and crowd management.

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“The entire preparation and planning process with all the agencies has been extremely beneficial, and everyone has said this year we are more organized and prepared than ever before,” said contest director Jeff Clark in a recent press release. “That attention to detail and vote of confidence means we’re ready to move forward and make this event a great success.”

At the meeting, contest organizers will present details of the Mavericks Festival, a daylong celebration of surfing that features live contest coverage, food, vendors and the awards ceremony to be held the grounds of the Oceano Hotel & Spa at Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay. The Festival is an opportunity for ticket holders to participate in the Mavericks Invitational in a new way, while getting the opportunity to meet the surfers and view the contest.

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During the public meeting, organizers will share the environmental health and public safety plan to restrict access to the beach at Mavericks and nearby bluffs Organizers will show details of the parking plans, public access points to Pillar Point, the water safety plan, and will welcome public comment.

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 2012 winter season. For additional details, visit: MavericksInvitational.com.

THE COMPETITORS

THE ALTERNATES

Matt Ambrose (Pacifica)

Josh Loya (Santa Cruz)

Ryan Augenstein (Santa Cruz)

Tyler Fox (Santa Cruz)

Grant ?Twiggy? Baker (South Africa)

Colin Dwyer (Pacifica)

Chris Bertish (South Africa)

Nic Lamb (Santa Cruz)

Carlos Burle (Brazil)

Danilo Couto (Brazil)

Ken ?Skindog? Colins (Santa Cruz)

Derek Dunfee (San Diego)

Shane Desmond (Santa Cruz)

Ben Andrews (San Francisco)

Shawn Dollar (Santa Cruz)

Andrew Marr (South Africa)

Shane Dorian (Hawaii)

Travis Payne (Pacifica)

Nathan Fletcher (San Clemente)

Ion Banner (Half Moon Bay)

Mark Healey (Hawaii)

Kohl Christensen (Hawaii)

Rusty Long (San Clemente)

Shawn Rhodes (Pacifica)

Greg Long (San Clemente)

Mike Gerhardt (Santa Cruz)

Alex Martins (Brazil)

Garret McNamara (Hawaii)

Peter Mel (Santa Cruz)

Russel Smith (Santa Cruz)

Ryan Seelbach (San Francisco)

Jamie Mitchel (Australia)

Kelly Slater (Florida)

Frank Solamon (South Africa)

Tyler Smith (Santa Cruz)

 

Jamie Sterling (Hawaii)

 

Anthony Tashnick (Santa Cruz)

 

Grant Washburn (San Francisco)

 

Dave Wassel (Hawaii)

 

Ben Wilkinson (Austraila)

 

Zach Wormhoudt (Santa Cruz)

 

Information for this article was used from a press release by Jessica Banks, MavericksInvitational.com.

 

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