Mavericks Surfing Contest to Open Season; Movie Shot Locally in Theaters Now

The opening of the big-wave surfing contest at Mavericks near Half Moon Bay is scheduled for Nov. 9, surfer and organizer Jeff Clark said.

According to Mavericks Big Wave Invitational organizers, the contest waiting period will officially run through March 31, 2013.

Clark and fellow surfers are hoping for big waves this season at the spot known for its massive swells less than a mile off the San Mateo County coast near Pillar Point Harbor.

Ideal conditions failed to materialize last season, just like in the 2010-2011 season, and the contest was not held.

Mavericks Invitational is a big wave surfing event. The one-day, invitation-only surfing competition is held at the legendary Mavericks surf break.

Twenty-four big-wave surfers hailed as the best in the world will attempt to take on the swell on the best surf day during the 2012-13 winter season.

The 24 competitors, among them Chris Bertish, of South Africa, Matt Ambrose, of Pacifica, 2005 champion Anthony Tashnick, of Santa Cruz, and 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, have been selected to be judged on how they can handle the Mavericks.

The opening of the contest season coincides with last week's release of the film "Chasing Mavericks" starring Gerard Butler as legendary big-wave surfer Jay Moriarty's mentor Rick "Frosty" Hesson.

The movie, originally titled "Of Men and Mavericks," was shot throughout Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties last fall and winter, including at Pleasure Point in Capitola and the Mavericks, where Butler was briefly trapped underwater during filming in December 2011.

He was rescued by emergency responders from the Coastside Fire Protection District and suffered minor injuries.

For more information about this year's competition visit mavericksinvitational.com.

—Reporting by Bay City News