Titans of Mavericks

Titans of Mavericks was a big wave surfing action sports event that took place south of San Francisco, at the surfing site of Mavericks, California. Athletes competed annually in conditions that can reach up 60 feet in wave height.

Titans of Mavericks poster

The contest was initiated in 1999 and last held in 2016. The 2017 contest was cancelled after the organizing company filed for bankruptcy and a deal was made with World Surf League to take over the event.[1] In 2019, the World Surf League ended the event indefinitely, citing "various logistical challenges" and "the inability to run the event the last two seasons."[2]

History
2010 Mavericks surfing competition.
Spectators of Mavericks contest in 2010.

The first surfing contest at Mavericks, now known as Titans of Mavericks,[3] was held in 1999, and has been held nine times through 2014. The organizers invite 24 big wave surfers annually to compete in the one-day event, but it is only held if wave conditions are favorable during the competition season.

Darryl Virostko ("Flea") won the initial contest in 1999, while Richard Schmidt, Ross Clarke-Jones and Peter Mel took second, third and fourth places, respectively. The following year put Virostko, Kelly Slater, Tony Ray, Peter Mel, Zach Wormhoudt, and Matt Ambrose in first through sixth places. In 2004, Virostko, Ambrose, Evan Slater, Anthony Tashnick, Mel and Grant Washburn placed in spots first through sixth. Tashnick came first in 2005. In 2006, Grant Baker, from South Africa, won first place, with Tyler Smith and Brock Little in second and third. The 2007 contest was called off because unusually mild weather resulted in no days with suitable waves by the end of March, the usual cutoff time for holding the competition. In 2008, Greg Long was crowned Mavericks Champion, Baker won second and Jamie Sterling won third place, followed by Smith in fourth, Washburn in fifth and Evan Slater in sixth. The contest was canceled again in 2009.[4] In 2010 South Africa's Chris Bertish took first place; winning a surfing prize purse of US$150 000, sponsored by Moose Guen, Jane Sunderland and Barracuda Networks.

In the fall of 2010 a group of surfers, community leaders and contest organizers formed the Half Moon Bay Surf Group, Inc., with the aim of controlling the contest. In October, the San Mateo Harbor Commission granted them the permit and official planning of the inaugural “The Jay at Maverick’s Big Wave Invitational" (as it was then called)[5] began.[6] Invited competitors included 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater and 23 others.[7] However, the contest was not held due to lack of waves in 2011 and 2012. The 2013 contest was won by Peter Mel and the 2014 one was won by Grant Baker.[3] The contest was rebranded "Titans of Mavericks", with governance by five Mavericks riders known as the "Committee 5" . The last[2] Mavericks Surf contest was held on February 12, 2016.

AT&T Park in San Francisco hosted live broadcasts of the event on its giant (110 foot wide) video display.[8]

In October 2006, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary proposed banning personal watercraft from Mavericks, which led to disputes within the sport.[9]

Mavericks contest results

The following is a list of past Mavericks invitational competitions and winners.

Season(s) Date Held[10] Champion 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place 5th Place 6th Place
1998-1999 February 17, 1999 Darryl Virostko Richard Schmidt Ross Clarke-Jones Peter Mel
1999-2000 March 3, 2000 Darryl Virostko Kelly Slater Tony Ray Peter Mel Zach Wormhoudt Matt Ambrose
2000-2003 No contest held
2003-2004 February 7, 2004 Darryl Virostko Matt Ambrose Evan Slater Anthony Tashnick Peter Mel Grant Washburn
2004-2005 March 2, 2005 Anthony Tashnick Greg Long Tyler Smith Zach Wormhoudt Shane Desmond Matt Ambrose
2005-2006 February 8, 2006 Grant Baker Tyler Smith Brock Little Matt Ambrose Grant Washburn Evan Slater
2006-2007 No contest held
2007-2008 January 12, 2008 Greg Long Grant Baker Jamie Sterling Tyler Smith Grant Washburn Evan Slater
2008-2009 No contest held
2009-2010 February 13, 2010 Chris Bertish Shane Desmond Anthony Tashnick Dave Wessel Carlos Brule Kenny Collins
2010-2012 No contest held
2012-2013 January 20, 2013 Peter Mel Zach Wormhoudt Greg Long Alex Martins Mark Healey Shawn Dollar
2013-2014 January 24, 2014 Grant Baker Shane Dorian Ryan Augenstein Tyler Fox Greg Long Anthony Tashnick
2014-2015 No contest held
2015-2016 February 12, 2016 Nic Lamb Travis Payne Greg Long Tyler Fox Jaime Mitchell Carlos Brule
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References
  1. Stech, Katy (August 24, 2017). "World Surf League to Take Over Titans of Mavericks Contest". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  2. "World Surf League Ends Titans Of Mavericks Competition". CBS SF BayArea. 2019-09-02. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  3. "Titans of Mavericks - History". Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  4. "The 2009 Mavericks Surf Contest is canceled due to lack of waves". Surfertoday.com. October 16, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  5. "Barracuda Networks". ThejayatMavericks.com. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  6. Julia Scott (October 21, 2010). "Newcomer ousts longtime Mavericks surf event promoter". San Jose Mercury News.
  7. Mark Conley (November 5, 2010). "Mavericks surf contest adds Kelly Slater's name back to list". San Jose Mercury News.
  8. "Mavericks Surf". Mavericks Surf. December 3, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  9. Ashley Powers (November 25, 2006). "Proposal could have surfers cooling their jets". Los Angeles Times.
  10. "Mavericks Surf Winners".



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