How are the waves now for Mavericks?

From Santa Cruz Sentinel/Stephen Baxter, 1/7/12.  "SANTA CRUZ -- The largest swell of the winter slammed county beaches and reefs on Friday. A west swell of 12 feet at 16-second intervals peaked Friday and was partly responsible for sinking a 58-foot sardine fishing boat about two miles off Pleasure Point early Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported. The four men on the boat were rescued by another boat and were not seriously injured, said Coast Guard Lt. John Suckow.  Read More...

And here's the Mavericks opening ceremonies story from  Half Moon Bay Review, 1/7/12. "More than a dozen of the world's best surfers joined their fans and even some politicians on the shore near Mavericks Friday afternoon for opening ceremonies marking the newly re-imagined Mavericks Invitational surf contest.  The contest window officially opened Jan. 1, but the waves haven't been right until this week. The contest, which took a hiatus for a year due to internal squabbling among organizers and insufficient waves, could be held on 24 hours notice any time between now and March 31."

"These are the finest surfers in the entire world and these are the finest waves in the entire world and all of us on the Coastside are extremely proud," said San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley, who serves as the event's honorary chairman this year. California Assemblyman Jerry Hill echoed Horsley's words, noting that surfers themselves are partially responsible for sustaining the beauty and environmental health of a national treasure. About 15 of the contest invitees and alternates were on hand for the ceremony. It included the ceremonial paddle out and spectators cheered the circle of surfers who took part in a prayer about 50 yards from the shore. Surfers, their families and VIPs were planning to conclude the day with a private party on the coast on Friday evening. At that event, surfers will draw heats for the contest.

Posted by Kathy Meeh