It has been an event sorely missing from the WSL Big Wave World Tour and plagued with controversy. Mavericks, the premier big wave spot for in Northern California has been shrouded in controversy in recent years. Contest organisers from the Titans of Mavericks event have warred with surfers, local government authorities for permits and after failing to run the event this year put the event up for auction for the grand sum of US$1 million dollars in June. But now the WSL have come to the rescue, and are likely to secure a deal that will ensure it becomes part of the Big Wave World Tour schedule.
This morning the WSL issued the following press release:
“WSL, Titans of Mavericks and Cartel Management can confirm that they have reached an agreement to secure the permit to run the Mavericks event as one of the Big Wave Tour stops at Mavericks. All are very excited about this. The WSL is waiting final approval by the judge who is overseeing the reorganization filing made earlier this year by Titans of Mavericks and Cartel Management, and will provide more information as the situation progresses. Mavericks is known everywhere as one of the iconic and dramatic big wave locations in the world, and the WSL is looking forward to work with the San Mateo County Harbor District and the local community moving forward.”
The move to secure one of the more consistent big-wave venues bodes well for the WSL. The Big Wave World Tour is often marred by inconsistent, sub-par conditions with the victor usually being the only surfer that survives a white-knuckle ride barrel. Case in point: Kai Lenny at Puerto Escondido last month. With the tour having been cut from seven to three events in the past year this is good news for surfers looking to prove themselves on world stage. With Mavericks joining Pe’ahi, Nazare, Puerto Escondido on the ticket the BWWT has legitimised itself that little bit more.
