It is the first year since the contest began in 1999 that Mavericks pioneer and El Granada resident Jeff Clark did not lead the ritual. Clark made no public appearance at the event. In his stead, prominent Mavericks photographer Frank Quirarte took up the responsibilities of heading the ceremony. Before introducing the hailed invitees and alternates poised in front of their surfboards, Quirarte made a brief honorary mention of Clark.
“He’s in our hearts, he’s in our minds, and, once they get through what they need to get through, he’ll be back on the beach in this position where he needs to be,” Quirarte said. “And, with that said, we’ll start from the end.”
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Legendary surfer Dorian “Doc” Poskowitz, a Stanford-educated doctor known for famously traveling the globe in pursuit of wave breaks with his nine children in tow, appeared as an honorary speaker. Poskowitz lent a few words that spiritualized the ritual.
“As the Poskowitzes have kept surfing, so surfing has kept the Poskowitzes,” he said. “And I give to all of you that wondrous rule of thumb. As long as you surf, surfing will keep you.”
Following Poskowitz's address, the surfers suited up and paddled out across the glassy cove to join hands in a circle and bless this year's event.
With Clark’s departure as contest director, the weight of calling the contest falls on the shoulders of the two-dozen competitors. West said he’s looking forward to the opportunity to weigh in on the decision.
“Everybody in the contest knows Mavs and how it breaks so it’ll definitely be a good year, for sure,” he said.
West, who lives closer to the surf spot than any other contestant save for Banner, said he’s is looking for 15-foot swells, offshore winds and low tides. “With El Niño, and the window (being) open like five months, I know there’s gonna be a day when it breaks. My prediction is that it’ll be early.”
The window for the Mavericks Surf Contest opens Sunday, Nov. 1.
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