Super Saturday: Mavericks surf contest is on2008-01-12 19:20:25
All the elements seem to be in place:• Twenty-four ridiculously talented - and perhaps slightly deranged - surfers.• A healthy, if not monstrous, North Pacific groundswell set to deliver three- and four-story walls of water.• Weather conditions likely to resemble late spring more than dead of winter.Indeed, the Mavericks Surf Contest really seems to have its wish list dialed in this morning.One doesn't need to be a user of "dude" or "brah" in casual conversation to take an interest. As the players in big-wave surfing's granddaddy - call it Super Bowl Saturday - paddle out into the surf zone a half mile off Pillar Point, one of the sports world's least predictable events always makes for good theater.Here's a breakdown of what the day is all about:MAVERICKS SURF CONTEST '08When: 8 a.m. todayWhere: Mavericks, off Pillar Point Harbor near Half Moon BayWaves: Smooth 25- to 30-foot faces expectedPurse: $75,000, with $30,000 going to the winnerReigning champion: Grant BakerJudging crit