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| Window opens for Mavericks surf contest By Greg Thomas [ greg@hmbreview.com ] Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 12:57 PM PST The 24 big-wave surfers invited to compete in this year’s Mavericks Surf Contest shouldered their boards and marched out to the famous surf spot for the traditional opening ceremony Friday afternoon. The contest window opened two days later. It’s a year for firsts. This is the first year since the contest began in 1999 that Mavericks heavyweight and former contest director Jeff Clark did not lead the ritualistic opening blessing. It’s also the first season the window is opening in November, stretching the contest period to five prime months. And, for the first time, surf contestants have the power to choose the day they compete. Tim West, the only contest invitee from Montara, said he’s looking forward to the opportunity to weigh in on the decision. “Everybody in the contest knows Mavs and how it breaks, so it’ll definitely be a good year, for sure,” he said. At the ceremony, Mavericks photographer Frank Quirarte assumed the responsibilities of emcee in Clark’s stead. Before introducing the lineup of invitees and alternates poised in front of their surfboards, Quirarte made a brief nod to the Mavericks pioneer. “He’s in our hearts, he’s in our minds, and, once they get through what they need to get through, he’ll be back on the beach in this position where he needs to be,” Quirarte said. “And, with that said, we’ll start from the end.” Quirarte ran through each of the “hard chargers” slated to make waves in the competition. They include Coastsiders West and his mentor, El Granada surfer Ion Banner, who was not present at the ceremony. Legendary surfer Dorian “Doc” Poskowitz addressed the score of surfers as a special guest speaker. The Stanford-educated doctor is known for towing his nine children around the globe in pursuit of wave breaks. Poskowitz lent a few spiritually charged words to the younger crop of wave riders. “As the Poskowitzes have kept surfing, so surfing has kept the Poskowitzes,” he said. “And I give to all of you that wondrous rule of thumb: As long as you surf, surfing will keep you.” Following Poskowitz’s pep talk, the surfers suited up and paddled out across the glassy cove to join hands in a circle for the customary contest blessing. West, who lives closer to the surf spot than any other contestant, save for Banner, said he is keeping an eye out for 15-foot swells, offshore winds and low tides. “With El Niño, and the window (being) open like five months, I know there’s gonna be a day when it breaks. My prediction is that it’ll be early.” |