One of the world’s most renowned big wave surfing contests may not take place this year thanks to a pair of bankruptcy filings, and that could also postpone its first-ever heat for women.
The famed Mavericks surfing contest, which is held off Pillar Point near Half Moon Bay, California, and is usually held between November and March each year whenever the conditions are best. However, it hasn’t been held yet this year despite strong waves in November and January. As Dan Weikel of The Los Angeles Times wrote Wednesday, a pair of bankruptcy filings from companies that manage the event suggest it may not happen at all this year:
Cartel Management Inc. and Titans of Mavericks LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Los Angeles division of U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday. The filing allows Cartel and Titans to develop a reorganization plan to keep their operations going while paying off creditors over time.
According to court records, Cartel faces claims of about $1.9 million and Titans of Mavericks faces more than $776,335 in claims from their top 20 creditors. Some of the debt appears to be shared.
This is perhaps particularly harsh for women hoping to compete, as the California Coastal Commission (which hands out the permits for the event) required they allow women to enter this year. That’s led to some critical comments from those who worked to make that happen:
San Mateo County Harbor Commissioner Sabrina Brennan, who has worked to get women into the contest, said the event probably won’t happen this year because of the financial problems.
…“Logistically, I don’t see how this is going to happen, and I don’t see another group coming in and getting the permits,” Brennan said. “This will be super disappointing for the contestants. As you know, this was the first year for women to compete.”
In a news release, the Committee for Equity in Women’s Surfing said the group suspected there were problems.
“There were two days with perfect conditions in November and one day in January but no contest was called,” the release said. “What a let down.”
It’s unfortunate to hear that this famed event may not come together this year, and especially that this step forward for women’s surfing may not happen. This is also another recent blow for the contest, which had disappointing waves last year thanks to being moved thanks to the Super Bowl. It will be worth keeping an eye on these bankruptcy proceedings to see what comes next.
