Invitees gather for the 2013 Body Glove Mavericks Invitational. See more photos here>
Friday 25 October saw a gathering of some of the world’s hardest chargers at the official opening ceremony of the 2013 Mavericks Invitational Big Wave World Tour (BWWT) event at Half Moon Bay in Northern California.
The BWWT has gained momentum since forming in 2009 and its acquisition by the ASP (owned by ZoSea Media) is a sure sign that interest is high in big wave surfing.
But why wouldn’t it be? A battle not only between man and nature, but also man against man, big wave surfing offers the layman a much more interesting show than the highly technical Dream Tour, and sponsors are stepping in to get associated. Although questions do remain whether the Mavericks Invitational will continue to be part of the BWWT in 2014.
Californian Peter Mel took out last year’s Mavericks Invitational win, as well as the 2012 BWWT title.
Body Glove is the new sponsor of the Mavericks Invitational, which apart from the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay, is probably the most coveted big wave surfing title in the world.
And two South Africans have won it. Twiggy (2006) and Chris Bertish (2010). They’re also the only two Saffas who’ve managed to crack an invite to the event so far.
When one Saffa wins, we all win. Chris Bertish gets hoisted by Mike Schlebach, Frank Solomon and Twiggy following his 2010 Mavericks win.
Frank Solomon is on the alternates list, however, while Mike Schlebach, Andy Marr and Josh Redman have made the “Watch List” – which means that if they get some good Mavericks sessions under their belt this winter, then they could secure an invite in 2014.
The 2013 Body Glove Mavericks Invitational has a waiting period from 1 November 2013 to 31 March 2014 – during which time organisers will wait for the day that Mother Nature comes out to play in a serious way, before calling the contest on.
Then you’ll be able to watch it LIVE HERE.
Here’s the heat draw, as well as the full alternates and Watch List.
The ALTERNATES: 2013-14 Mavericks Invitational
1. Shane Desmond (Santa Cruz, CA)
4. Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL)
2. Danilo Couto (Brazil)
5. Tyler Smith (Santa Cruz, CA)
3. Derek Dunfee (San Diego, CA)
6. Frank Solomon (South Africa)
The WATCH LIST:
Mark Alfaro
Wyatt Fields
Andrew Marr
Shawn Rhodes
Ben Andrews
Mike Gerhardt
Garret McNamara
Mike Schlebach
Ion Banner
Alex Gray
Jamie Mitchell
Russell Smith
Shawn Barron
Lance Harriman
Travis Payne
Tim West, Jr.
João deMacedo
Josh Loya
Josh Redman
See more on www.bigwaveworldtour.com
