New Mavs Event

The HMB Surf Group Inc, which consists of a group of Maverick’s competitors, community members, long-time event coordinators and sponsors, today announced the lineup, which consist of surfers from California as well as Hawaii, Florida and other parts of the world.

(Er .. well it might be worth mentioning the countries from other parts of the world. There are other countries besides the US. Is it not worth popping in the names of the other countries? It would only add like four more words to the story. Okay well they are SOUTH AFRICA, BRAZIL and AUSTRALIA).

Also making the cut is nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (er dude, it is 10 times, Kelly just won the 10th title, you know, to massive publicity and worldwide adulation and adoration? eish) who just a week ago confirmed his interest in returning to Maverick’s to compete, nearly 10 years after his one and only appearance to the event to date.

This season’s Maverick’s competitor lineup includes (is there anyone else? perhaps mention them then):

Chris Bertish (South Africa)
Shane Desmond (Santa Cruz)
Anthony Tashnick (Santa Cruz)
Kenny Collins (Santa Cruz)
Dave Wassel (Hawaii)
Carlos Burle (Brazil)
Grant Baker (South Africa)
Alex Martins (San Francisco)
Peter Mel (Santa Cruz)
Grant Washburn (San Francisco)
Ryan Seelbach (San Francisco)
Darryl Virostko (Santa Cruz)
Greg Long (San Clemente)
Zack Wormhoudt (Santa Cruz)
Mark Healey (Hawaii)
Shawn Dollar (Santa Cruz)
Ryan Augenstein (Santa Cruz)
Shane Dorian (Hawaii)
Rusty Long (San Clemente)
Tyler Smith (Santa Cruz)
Nathan Fletcher (Hawaii)
Matt Ambrose (Pacifica)
Kelly Slater (Florida)
Jamie Sterling (Hawaii)

“This lineup includes the world’s best Big Wave surfers. This is phenomenal roster for opening season of ‘The Jay at Maverick’s Big Wave Invitational,’” said Grant Washburn, one of the founders of the Half Moon Bay Surf Group and a 2010/2011 invitee.  “These guys have been pushing the sport, and raising the bar with every swell.  Every one of them is excited by the new direction of this event, and it is fitting that they get to be the first to surf in Jay Moriarity’s name.”

“To be part of ‘The Jay’ means a ton,” said Slater who came in second place at the Maverick’s contest in 2000. “I surfed two of (Jay’s) last waves with him in the 2000 event and am really stoked I had that opportunity. I made it through that heat and a few people were upset he hadn't so I hope to come back and make him proud.”

“The Jay at Maverick's Big Wave Invitational" will honor Jay Moriarity, one of the sport’s greatest watermen, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 22 in a diving accident while visiting the Maldives Islands in 2001. “(Jay) had a classic big wave stance and style that was as good as anyone's,” added Slater.  “This event will be a good reminder of a friend of all of ours that we'll always have in our hearts and minds when surfing Maverick’s.”

In addition, the panel voted on 17 alternate surfers: Josh Loya (Santa Cruz) Tyler Fox (Santa Cruz)Colin Dwyer (Pacifica) Nic Lamb (Santa Cruz)Danilo Couto (Brazil) Derek Dunfee (San Diego)Ben Andrews (San Francisco) Andrew Marr (South Africa)Travis Payne (Pacifica) Ion Banner (Half Moon Bay)Kohl Christensen (Hawaii) Shawn Rhodes (Pacifica)Mike Gerhardt (Santa Cruz) Garret McNamara (Hawaii)Russel Smith (Santa Cruz) Jamie Mitchel (Australia)Ben Wilkenson (Australia)