Mavericks Opening Day Ceremony

The Opening Day Ceremoy for the Mavericks surf contest was a media frenzy. Every local and major news station was there to cover the event which officially announces the waiting period for the event that will carry through from December to March. All the big wave chargers were there to accept the invite and take part in the festivities. It started on the beach where event director Jeff Clarke announced all the invitees, then carried over to a party where they had some great food, a band and did a lottery to announce the heats. The whole day was buzzing with everyone talking about the last major swell. All the boys were re-living their best rides and exchanging war stories, there was a lot of testosterone in the room. RVCA is proud to their team rider Russell Smith as one of 22 invitees to this prestigious event.




All the surfers, lined-up with their big wave weapons. Notice the amount of media people standing below.




Russell in the line-up, standing next to Grant "Twiggy" Baker, last years champ.




ABC's Good Morning America, interviewing brothers Smith about big wave surfing and the last major swell where they towed into Ghost Trees. On that same day there was a tragic death of a fellow big wave charger, Pete Davi.




Russell and his brother Tyler. Last year Russell made the semi-finals and Tyler got 2nd. Brothers Smith are pretty solid.




Russell and his girl Paige.




Russell and Jeff Clarke, picking a number that will determine which heat he will surf in.




Lucky number 3, putting Russell in heat number 1




Shawn Rhodes, Russell Smith, Brock Little, Greg Long and Jamie Sterling. All the heats were stacked, with only 22 competitors and all the worlds top big wave riders, there aren't any easy heats.