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| Mavericks event to add airport parking By Marc Longpre--[ marc@hmbreview.com ] Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 2:02 PM PDT The opening of the Mavericks Surf Contest window is little more than two months off and the organizers of an event that is quickly becoming a Coastside staple are in the midst of finalizing some major changes for the coming year. The beautiful weather and world-class surfers attracted thousands more spectators than organizers expected for last winter's event. Afterward, several local officials declared that serious considerations would be needed before the next edition was given the go-ahead. Now, discussions are being held about the possibility of opening Half Moon Bay Airport to parking, thus alleviating one of last year's biggest problems. In addition, organizers are hoping to use AT&T Park in San Francisco, where they can show the event live on the stadium's jumbo screen, so that people in San Francisco won't be forced to drive to Half Moon Bay to take in the action. "If that works it would enable folks in San Francisco to go there as opposed to having to get into the car," said Doug Epstein, co-founder of Mavericks Surf Ventures. "We're working with all the agencies involved in the planning and feel like we're on track to have the best paddle-in event in the world." Sally Campbell, a San Mateo County Harbor District commissioner, who has previously said she would not vote to approve the permit for the event unless her complaints were answered, said the organizers seem to be moving in the right direction. "My concerns were the lack of coordination, the large number of people, and no place for them to park," Campbell said. "Depending on the degree they are talking they may have satisfied my concerns." Parking was a serious concern a year ago, and the opening of Half Moon Bay Airport and the addition of a shuttle service from the airport to the beach could alleviate worries that the traffic would only worsen. Epstein said organizers are still working on a solution to the safety concerns borne of the large number of people who sat on the bluff above the site last year. He said he hoped to finalize all the arrangements for the contest in the next 60 days. |