hellwoman
01-21-2007, 08:27 PM
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/30/BAGC2MMHUA1.DTL
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HALF MOON BAY
Maverick's contest squabble resolved by deadline
Producers sign a major sponsor, agree to surfers' demands
Paul McHugh, Chronicle Outdoors Writer
Thursday, November 30, 2006
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Paul Mchugh
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MAIN EVENTS - Winter adventures - Discover fabulous fungus, lear...
11/30/2006
HALF MOON BAY - Maverick's contest squabble resolved by deadline...
11/30/2006
Producers of the Maverick's Big Wave Surf Contest managed to avert a rebellion by the Maverick's surfers themselves Wednesday afternoon when they met a deadline to sign a major sponsor and agreed to a list of the competitors' demands.
Had those requirements not been met, the 2007 contest might have been boycotted -- or faced disruption by angry surfers.
"There have been mistakes made that we are on the way to rectifying," said Doug Epstein, one of the three principals of Mavericks Surf Ventures, which has put on three of the five contests at the site. The firm comprises Epstein and Keir Beadling of Evolve Sports, as well as Jeff Clark, the Maverick's surf break pioneer who founded the contest.
"The guys are very serious about this," said Grant Washburn, a Maverick's habitue (he came in fifth in last year's event) and a frequent spokesman for the surfers. "I don't think the (Evolve) organizers grasp even yet how much passion is involved."
The big wave riders' grievances ranged from complaints that competitors hadn't been paid appearance fees for the 2006 contest to suspicions that proceeds from tangential productions such as three Maverick's-themed concerts on the East Coast primarily went into the organizers' income. The organizers said they reinvest everything in the contest.
The surfers also fear that once the organizers sew up the Maverick's event with contracts, they might sell off the entire package to make their fortune.
The competitors were most upset about the missing 2006 appearance fees, typically paid by organizers to cover the surfers' travel and other expenses. Not only were the fees not paid for the Feb. 7 contest, but the competitors weren't notified the funds would not be coming.
The surfers also complained that in the run-up to the competition, the organizers made misleading announcements about sponsors and then did not have proper credentials for volunteers and botched many lodging arrangements. The competitors also say event volunteers and a favorite local surf band, the Mermen, were exploited.
In a last-ditch effort to hold things together for the 2007 event, the surfers "unionized" by forming a committee, then asked a well-respected surf contest organizer, Darren Brilhart, to represent them.
Brilhart laid down a Dec. 1 deadline for Mavericks Surf Ventures to have a committed sponsor and to sign a competitors agreement that set terms for surfer participation.
On Wednesday, this was done, with Ask.com announced as the sponsor.
"I'm glad this came together," said Katherine Clark, who helps her ex-husband, Jeff Clark, direct the event. "It's real important to our community."
"We don't care about the contest as much as we love riding the big waves here, whether there's a contest or not," Washburn said. "It's something we cherish and hold to be sacred.
"This game is not full of calm characters. There's some crazy cats. If they perceive any disrespect or fudging on agreements, that's punishable, in their view."
Epstein of Mavericks Surf Ventures added, "We have an absolute need to improve communications, and demonstrate respect for the surfers and this place. It's an important stewardship we've got our hands on."
This means that plans will go forward to announce the contest date after the waiting period opens on Jan. 2, whenever a suitable swell arrives. Since Half Moon Bay was overwhelmed by crowds at the last event, measures will be in place to constrain the public. The contest will be most easily watched via streaming video on the Internet and at big screen venues that may include AT&T ballpark in San Francisco. Details are at mavericks.bolt.com.
E-mail Paul McHugh at pmchugh@sfchronicle.com.
Page B - 4
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/30/BAGC2MMHUA1.DTL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HALF MOON BAY
Maverick's contest squabble resolved by deadline
Producers sign a major sponsor, agree to surfers' demands
Paul McHugh, Chronicle Outdoors Writer
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Printable Version
Email This Article
Paul Mchugh
Archive
Cyclists' trail-rail vision not over yet - Despite defeat, Sonom...
11/30/2006
MAIN EVENTS - Winter adventures - Discover fabulous fungus, lear...
11/30/2006
HALF MOON BAY - Maverick's contest squabble resolved by deadline...
11/30/2006
Producers of the Maverick's Big Wave Surf Contest managed to avert a rebellion by the Maverick's surfers themselves Wednesday afternoon when they met a deadline to sign a major sponsor and agreed to a list of the competitors' demands.
Had those requirements not been met, the 2007 contest might have been boycotted -- or faced disruption by angry surfers.
"There have been mistakes made that we are on the way to rectifying," said Doug Epstein, one of the three principals of Mavericks Surf Ventures, which has put on three of the five contests at the site. The firm comprises Epstein and Keir Beadling of Evolve Sports, as well as Jeff Clark, the Maverick's surf break pioneer who founded the contest.
"The guys are very serious about this," said Grant Washburn, a Maverick's habitue (he came in fifth in last year's event) and a frequent spokesman for the surfers. "I don't think the (Evolve) organizers grasp even yet how much passion is involved."
The big wave riders' grievances ranged from complaints that competitors hadn't been paid appearance fees for the 2006 contest to suspicions that proceeds from tangential productions such as three Maverick's-themed concerts on the East Coast primarily went into the organizers' income. The organizers said they reinvest everything in the contest.
The surfers also fear that once the organizers sew up the Maverick's event with contracts, they might sell off the entire package to make their fortune.
The competitors were most upset about the missing 2006 appearance fees, typically paid by organizers to cover the surfers' travel and other expenses. Not only were the fees not paid for the Feb. 7 contest, but the competitors weren't notified the funds would not be coming.
The surfers also complained that in the run-up to the competition, the organizers made misleading announcements about sponsors and then did not have proper credentials for volunteers and botched many lodging arrangements. The competitors also say event volunteers and a favorite local surf band, the Mermen, were exploited.
In a last-ditch effort to hold things together for the 2007 event, the surfers "unionized" by forming a committee, then asked a well-respected surf contest organizer, Darren Brilhart, to represent them.
Brilhart laid down a Dec. 1 deadline for Mavericks Surf Ventures to have a committed sponsor and to sign a competitors agreement that set terms for surfer participation.
On Wednesday, this was done, with Ask.com announced as the sponsor.
"I'm glad this came together," said Katherine Clark, who helps her ex-husband, Jeff Clark, direct the event. "It's real important to our community."
"We don't care about the contest as much as we love riding the big waves here, whether there's a contest or not," Washburn said. "It's something we cherish and hold to be sacred.
"This game is not full of calm characters. There's some crazy cats. If they perceive any disrespect or fudging on agreements, that's punishable, in their view."
Epstein of Mavericks Surf Ventures added, "We have an absolute need to improve communications, and demonstrate respect for the surfers and this place. It's an important stewardship we've got our hands on."
This means that plans will go forward to announce the contest date after the waiting period opens on Jan. 2, whenever a suitable swell arrives. Since Half Moon Bay was overwhelmed by crowds at the last event, measures will be in place to constrain the public. The contest will be most easily watched via streaming video on the Internet and at big screen venues that may include AT&T ballpark in San Francisco. Details are at mavericks.bolt.com.
E-mail Paul McHugh at pmchugh@sfchronicle.com.
Page B - 4