Saturday, November 10, 2012

As Pacifica prays for a better city economy, surfers pray for bigger waves


The Daily Journal (San Mateo), Samantha Weigel, 11/10/12. "Mavericks officially kicks off."  Note: article and photograph are by Samantha Weigel.
 
Pray for waves, but staying alive would be good
"As Friday’s midday sun began to set off the coast of Half Moon Bay, this year’s Mavericks Invitational surfers, family, supporters and locals gathered for the opening ceremony marking the start of the waiting period for this year’s competition. The contest relies on big and consistent 30- to 50-foot waves that must occur between now and March 31. As the crowd grew along the beach and on the cliffs, several of this year’s competitors arrived and began to line up their surfboards.

....  “This is a place that is very challenging; the best in the world can sometimes fall to it. So we all know that; and guys are not silly and crazy daredevils, but very calculated. It’s easy to get excited, cause you’re having fun out there, and let your guard down. But we have to always keep in mind that even on a small day, this place could kill you,” Washburn said.

...  The men gave thanks and commemorated their fellow surfers who have passed at the hands of the daunting waves. But they also prayed for the elements to align and provide a competition. They prayed to Mavericks, Clark said. ....  The ceremony progressed as they burst into the 53 degree water and paddled out a few hundred yards from shore. A few dozen competitors and locals sat atop their boards and gathered to hold hands.

....  “We make a circle out there and pray for waves,” Washburn said.  At the ceremony’s closing, the competitors retreated to land, meeting at the Yacht Club where names were drawn to determine heats and competition order; assuming there is a competition. So for now, all they can do is pray for waves."   Read article.

Related - Sacramento Bee/Associated Press, 11/9/12, "Mavericks surfing contest window opens."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

This brings alot of money into Half Moon Bay, nothing for Pacifica.

Oh wait one guy stopped in town and bought a candy bar.

eyeroll

Anonymous said...

Seems like the SurfSpot would have been able to get some biz from this. Maybe the hotels? Any effort made to connect? Sure hope so.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Seems like the SurfSpot would have been able to get some biz from this. Maybe the hotels? Any effort made to connect? Sure hope so.

November 10, 2012 2:59 PM

Has Pacifica ever made an effort to connect and or make money?

The surf spot had to cut out mid week lunch,

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Seems like the SurfSpot would have been able to get some biz from this. Maybe the hotels? Any effort made to connect? Sure hope so.

November 10, 2012 2:59 PM

Has Pacifica ever made an effort to connect? They can not even connect the dots that they are bankrupt.

The Daly City-Colma chamber runs ads on TV all the time.

Dandy Don at the chamber ran ads in Contra Costa County about Pacifica in movie theatres.

Anonymous said...

anon@2:59p.m." Pretty hard to connect a hotel stay and dining with a contest that is called on 24 hour notice like the Mavericks.
I always thought that after the PBR (beach hotel) was built, they would someone tie in with the several surf contests held at Linda Mar each year.

Don't think that idea ever occurred to the PBR management , and the YELP reviews seem to indicate that this "resort" is having a tough time getting their act together. They've got the location, just not the business model.

Anonymous said...

Kathy?

How does this help Pacifica?

Kathy Meeh said...

Anon 5:12 PM, refer to all the anonymous comments, above. People just like you are thinking.

But, "news flash", all city, county, regional bay area, state, regional states, national, international, interstellar or outer space articles in the news (some of them posted on Fix Pacifica) may or may not "help Pacifica". Got it now?

And after all, over the past 30 years, and more recently 10 years, did Pacifica "help Pacifica"? "Helping Pacifica" hasn't seemed to be a popular idea except for all the free labor it produced.

Anonymous said...

@509 Sure, not much can be done at the last minute, but there must be some kind of communication going on before, after...maybe that interstellar stuff Ms. Meeh refers to. Just saying it seems like a perfect match.

Anonymous said...

anon512 nothing can help Pacifica. We may as well enjoy a little light reading on the ride to the bottom. Not far to go, now.