Mavericks Invitational Presented by GoPro Kicks Off the Winter Season

Mavericks Invitational presented by GoPro, the world’s premier big wave surf contest, kicked off the winter season with an inspirational Opening Ceremony and paddle out from the beach at Mavericks.

“The opening ceremony and paddle out is more special than any big day of surfing,” said Danilo Couto, Brazilian big wave surfer on the list of alternates for this year’s competition. “It just reminds us how lucky we are to be here year after and year. Mavericks is the most intense big wave around. It keeps me on my toes every day of my life, knowing I have to be ready. It keeps me healthy, keeps me young, and keeps me doing the right thing.”

Nearly all of the 24 invited competitors and 17 alternates attended the ceremony, along with the local high school and junior high school surf teams, fans and the local surf community.

video:

“The surfers look forward to the ceremony to reconnect with each other and with Mavericks,” said contest director Jeff Clark, who introduced the surfers and led the group in a prayer. “It’s the coming together of the family and the brotherhood that goes way deeper than surfing. It helps us remember that it is a power much greater than us that allows us to challenge one of the greatest forces of nature.”

The heat draw, always a highlight of the ceremony, is where competitors pull out a numbered ping pong ball which places them in their respective heat. This years heat draw is as follows:

Heats

The ceremony also marks the opening of the Mavericks Invitational contest window, which starts on November 9, 2012, and runs though March 31, 2013. When wave height and weather conditions are perfect, organizers make “the call” to hold the contest with 24-hour notice.

This year’s event is presented by GoPro, with supporting sponsors Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and 1st to Know. To receive up to date news and alerts about the contest, fans can sign up for free text alerts at www.mavericksinvitational.com.

About Mavericks Invitational

Mavericks Invitational is the world’s premier, high adrenaline, big wave surfing event, and is now part of the Big Wave World Tour. The association with BWWT allows those surfers who are part of the tour to use their performance at Mavericks as part of their overall scoring for the season. The contest is a one-day, invitation-only surfing competition is held at the legendary Mavericks surf break located ½ mile offshore at Pillar Point Harbor, just 20 minutes south of San Francisco. The 24 most daring big-wave surfers in the world attempt to tame the massive swells on the biggest and best day of the 2012 winter season. For additional details, tickets or sign up to be a volunteer, visit MavericksInvitational.com.

Carlos Burle wins Billabong Pico Alto 2012 presented by Xperia Sony

Carlos Burle Comemorando a vitória: Arquivo Pessoal/MidiaBacana

During the tournament the atmosphere was filled with excitement and adrenaline among competitors. Ocean conditions were improving as the event progressed with waves in excess of 30 foot. The spectators were amazed at the magnitude of the waves and filled the stands on the top of the cliff at Punta Hermosa.
The Peruvians Sebastian de Romana, Tamil Martino, Rafael Velarde, Kodiak Semsch, Rafael Otero and Gabriel Villaran showed great determination and talent in facing the waves today. However, the Peruvian and former winner of the event in 2006, Jose Gomez surprised everyone by being the only local in the final.

Some surfers experienced extreme moments like Peruvian Rafael Velarde who felt the intensity of Pico Alto in his first heat, when he got a cut on his face and forced Rafael out of the water. Then, Californian Ken “Skindog” Collins got smashed by his board and broke his nose in his first heat. This did not stop “Skindog” who made it out of his heat and all the way to a 3rd place finish.
After the final started with a 10 minute lull, the ocean began to pump the biggest waves of the day ranging from 35 to 40 feet. The series was a hard battle displaying awesome surfing and great experience in big wave riding. At the end it was mainly between Carlos Burle (BRA) and Greg Long (USA), with Burle declared the clear winner at the Billabong Pico Alto 2012.
“I am very excited. The truth is I wasn’t sure I had won. I love Peru. It was one of the first places I traveled to compete. I have very good friends here and I am very happy to earn this victory. Thank you very much to Billabong for having this event,” said Carlos Burle.
We are thankful for the collaboration of our sponsors: Burn, Mapfre, Corona Extra, VonZipper glasses and Nixon watches, who made it possible to carry out this grand event.

RESULTS -
Billabong Pico Alto 2012 & Big Wave World Tour 2012/2013 Current ranking:
1. Carlos Burle (BRA)
2. Greg Long (USA)
3. Ken “Skindog” Collins (USA)
4. Jose Gomez (PERU)
5. Ramon Navarro (CHI)
6. Jeffrey Rowley (AUS)

Billabong Pico Alto 2012 – Green Alert for August 14th

The second stop on the Big Wave World Tour, the Billabong Pico Alto 2012, Presented by Sony Xperia Smartphone, has been given the green light.This is a very special year for the Billabong Pico Alto event because it marks the tenth anniversary of the prestigious contest.

Tuesday, 14th of August, the contest will be held 43 kilometers south of Lima, Peru at Punta Hermosa. Contest day is forecasted to have surf in the 30+foot range and will have optimal ocean conditions.

The event has become a spectacle for visitors and fans alike to witness the world’s best big wave riders on the tall open walls of Pico Alto.The decision to run the event was made by Billabong Peru with the support of Mark Sponsler of Stormsurf and Kevin Wallis of Surfline.

The current best big wave surfers in the world will be descending on Peru for the one day event. Global surf personalities such as Peter Mel (USA) defending event Champion and current BWWT Champion, Jamie Sterling (Hawaii) 2010 BWWT Champion, Carlos Burle (Brazil) 2009 BWWT Champion, Greg Long (USA), Danilo Couto (Brazil) & Grant “Twiggy” Baker (South Africa) Billabong XXL Award winners and many more come to Lima to face the giant waves of Pico Alto and it’s local favorites.
Among the local competitors we will see standout Peruvian surfers Rafael Velarde, Gabriel Villaran, Sebastian de Romana, Javier Swayne and many others.

Gary Linden, Legendary shaper and Director of the Big Wave World Tour states: “Thanks to good swell period and direction, Pico Alto is forecasted to provide excellent waves for the event. With all logistics ready we are excited for the second stop on the Big Wave World Tour for 2012/2013.”

These international and national competitors will be fighting it out for a prize purse of $20,000 USD and a special award for the biggest wave caught during the event presented by Nixon.

Because of Pico Alto’s importance and international fame, the competition will be broadcast live via Facebook Billabong Peru and the Billabong Peru website.

Experience the event live at

www.billabong.com/sa/picoalto12

www.facebook.com/perubillabong

This year the Billabong Pico Alto 2012, 10th Anniversary, is presented by Sony Xperia Smartphone and hosted by Mapfre, Corona Extra, Burn, Nixon watches and Von Zipper sunglasses.

For more information go to www.billabong.com/sa/picoalto12

The next stop on the BWWT will be the Mavericks Invitational in Half Moon Bay, California, USA.

Current Big Wave World Tour 2012/2013 Rankings:

1) Peter Mel (USA)

2) Ben Wilkinson (AUS)

3) Marcos Monteiro (Brazil)

4) Joao de Macedo (Brazil)

5) Ramon Navarro (Chile)

BWWT International Competitors:

1) Peter Mel (USA)

2) Ben Wilkinson (AUS)

3) Marcos Monteiro (Brazil)

4) Joao Do Macedo (Portugal)

5) Ramon Navarro (Chile)

6) Felipe Cesarano (Brazil)

7) Jamie Sterling (Haw)

Gabriel Villarán (Peru)

9) Kohl Christensen (Haw)

10) Greg Long (USA)

11) Shane Dorian (Haw)

12) Nathan Fletcher (USA)

Local Competitors:

1) Kodiak Semsch (Peru)

2) Rafael Velarde (Peru)

3) Sebastian de Romaña ( )

4) Javier Swayne (Peru)

5) Tamil Martino (Peru)

6) Tamil Martino (Peru)

Invited Competitors:

1) Jose Jarita Gomez (Peru)

2) Carlos Burle (Brazil)

3) Danilo Couto (Brazil)

4) Ken Skindog Collins (USA)

5) Kahea Hart (Haw)

6) Frank Solomon

About Billabong:

Gordon Merchant, surfer and visionary, aimed to produce clothing that fits a surfing lifestyle and thus founded the brand name “Billabong” in Australia in 1973.Billabong is now the leading brand in the surf segment, producing and distributing clothing and accessories for both men and women. Today the brand markets its products in over 100 countries, with its Headquarters in Australia.

Billabong is known as the organizer of major surfing events around the world, such as the Billabong Pro Tahiti, Mundaka Pro, Pipeline Masters and the Billabong Pro Jeffrey’s Bay, among others. Billabong sponsors and supports more than 500 of the best surfers in the world. Billabong Peru has grown significantly in the last decade and now has its own marketing channel with 15 retail stores Nationwide.

Competitors Quotes:

Peter Mel (USA):

World Champ 12 – Winner Pico Alto 11 – 11th P.Lobos 11 – 6th Nelscott 10 – 3rd P.Lobos 10 – 3rd P.Lobos & Pico Alto 09

“”I’m very excited to get the BWWT year off to a start. The Southern Hemisphere winter season has been spotty in South America. Its good to see it wake up! The forecasted swell looks good to deliver the goods to Pico Alto. It will be good to catch a few bombs and surf with all the local crew.”

August 9th, 2012

Jamie Sterling (Hawaii):

World Champ 11 – 5th Pico Alto 11 – 9th P. Lobos 11 – 1st Pico Alto 10 – 4th P.Lobos 10 – 3rd in Nelscott 10

“I’m super excited to return to Peru to surf and compete at one of South America best big wave spots.”

August 9th, 2012

Carlos Burle (Brazil):

World Champ 10 – 98 Todos Winner – 3rd Pico Alto 10 – 5th P.Lobos 09 – 2nd Pico Alto 09 – 5th Mavericks – 4th Todos 10 – 11th Pico Alto 11

“Excited to get back to Pico Alto, Peru. I love that place and the swell looks really good!!!”

August 9th, 2012

Greg Long (USA):

5th P.Lobos 11, 5th Pico Alto 10 – 6th P.Lobos 10 – Winner Pico Alto & Eddie Aikau 09 – Winner Mavericks 08 – Winner Dungeon 2003

“I look forward to the event at Pico Alto every year. I’m excited to get down there and share a few waves with my friends.”

August 9th, 2012

Ben Wilkinson (Australia):

2nd Pico Alto 11 – 11th P.Lobos 11 – P.Lobos 10 – Mavericks Alternate 11

“I was honored and humbled to be invited to the BWWT Billabong Copa Burn event last year. Pico Alto was very good to me; Coming second to one of my heros Peter Mel. I am looking forward to this year’s event and catching up with friends I made down in Peru last year and surfing with all the boys . Thanks to all my supporters!! Time to ///Pitmove! See you down there.”

August 9th, 2012

Joao de Macedo (Portugal):

4th Pico Alto 11 – 9th P.Lobos 11, Best Wave at La Vaca Gigante IV (2011)

“Awesome waves, cool people & ancient ocean culture – What’s not to like about Peru! Super stoked to be going back to Pico Alto. Obrigado!”

August 9th, 2012

Kodiak Semsh (Peru):

6th Pico Alto 11 – Pico Alto 10

“Super stoked to participate this year again because it’s always an honor to surf with the best big-wave surfers in the world. This year the swell looks solid and the southerly direction promises very long walls, so let´s hope for the best and have fun in the water!”

August 9th, 2012

Danilo Couto (Brazil):

11 XXL Award “Ride of the Year” – Pico Alto 11, Nelscott, P.Lobos & Todos 10

” For me its special surf Pico Alto, its the biggest wave closer to my home country Brasil. Its a contest,but mostly a super session with great ocean friends.”