Feb 13 2010
Mavericks Surf Contest Runs Today in 50 Ft. Surf (Photos) – Chris Bertish Wins
The Mavericks Surf Contest ran today in epic, clean conditions at Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay, CA at one of the world’s heaviest and biggest waves. Results were: 1st – Chris Bertish (South Africa), 2nd – Shane Desmond (Hawaii), 3rd – Anthony Tashnick (Santa Cruz). The Mavericks Contest was webcast on Ustream and they provided updates throughout the contest on Twitter and Facebook. They shot some great photos from the line-up and posted them via Twitter (see below).
The Mavericks contest is held semi-annually at Mavericks (between 1999 and 2010, there have been 7 contests). Contest organizers wait until the swell is sufficiently big (40 ft. minimum) before calling the contest. Invitees fly from all over the world within a few days notice to compete. Previous years winners have included Darryl “Flea” Virostko (1999, 2000, 2004), Anthony Tashnick (2005), Grant “Twiggy” Baker (2006), and Greg Long (2007). Check the photos below (full gallery at SFGate.com). Photos: Ben Margot/AP.
Josh Loya paddles into a giant
Diagram of the wave at Mavericks
Evan Slater drops in late on a macking wave as Darryl "Flea" Virostko looks on.
View from the boat of the Mavericks Surf Contest - This photo posted via Twitter
More photos of the Mavericks Surf Contest after the jump
Shane Desmond drops into a beast of a wave
Bystanders scramble as surge from a wave washes over the beacu at Pillar Point. 13 spectators were injured.
Chris Bertish - winner of the 2010 Mavericks Surf Contest - slides into a macker
An unknown contestant tries to out run the lip on a giant wave
How big is big? The board on this wave is 10 ft. The surfer is praying he makes it through.
Unknown contestant drops into a very big wave at the Mavericks Surf Contest
An unknown contestant tried to out run the Pacific Ocean dumping on his back
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