Life's a Bokeh

Mavericks Surf Contest GPS Tour Using Tracks

For my first time as a spectator for the Mavericks Surf Contest I experimented using a new Android app called Tracks from Google. I have never used it before but thought the idea of having GPS to track all my movement on the day sounded intriguing considering I'd be off-shore on a spectator boat. I was able to embed several of the photos taken during the surf competition on the different points on the map, nice touch. The map below is of Half Moon Bay and the surf break is due south west off shore from Princeton, CA (green marker). Visit MavericksSurf.com to purchase tickets for next year's surf contest.

Zoom in and click on points on the map for more details

View Mavericks Surf Contest 2010 in a larger map

I can see where the Tracks Android app could have lots of potential additional uses. Considering this was the first time I ever used it, I found it pretty intuitive.

My Favorite Mavericks Surf Contest Photos

Mavericks Surf Photographs

Two weeks have passed since the Mavericks Surf Competition. This is a simple image heavy post showing off some of my favorites now that I have had a chance to go through all the photos and identified most of the surfers.

The winners of the February 13 contest were:

1. Chris Bertish - South Africa
2. Shane Desmond - Santa Cruz
3. Anthony Tashnick - Santa Cruz (won Mavericks in 2005)
4. Dave Wassell - Hawaii
5. Carlos Burle - Brazil
6. Kenny "Skindog" Collins - Santa Cruz

Zach Wormhoudt taking off on a steep wave in the first heat. Probably my signature photo for the entire event. Special thanks to Zack for pointing out my error of identifying the surfer as Ion Banner. Apologies Zack!

Evan Slater takes off on a monster Mavericks wave with a flotilla of rescue watercraft in foreground.

I believe this is Peter Mel in heat two being cheered on by Zack Wormhoudt. I like this photo because it captures the camaraderie between the surfers.

Anthony Tashnick (I think) in heat two coming down a big Mavericks wave with other contestants and rescue watercraft in foreground.

Still trying to identify this surfer emerging from being completely obscured by a wave. He was almost completely lost in the spray twice on this ride yet stayed up the entire time.

5th place finisher Carlos Burle in a thick frothy milkshake wave at Mavericks. I like the contrast of the bright orange jersey against the sea of white foam.

If you're still with me, I leave you with a black & white photo of Pillar Point Harbor that I took right before dawn the day of the Mavericks contest.

I am really looking forward to next year's competition and already have my spectator boat tickets. I'll be better prepared for the motion sickness however!

Here's an album containing a few other favorite photos from Mavericks 2010

Mavericks Surf Contest - Video from Spectator Boat

Brief video taken with my Canon 7D on a spectator boat as we traveled out to the break at the 2010 Mavericks Surf Contest.  Unfortunately I had to put the camera down prematurely as I needed both hands to brace myself.

Our captain Dennis from the New Captain Pete had to time the swells to get us there safely.  The video does not do justice to the size of the swells that day.  While we were unscathed, my stomach was not, despite motion sickness pills.  Neither were spectators down at the beach when a exceptionally large wave broke through the seawall and injured several people.

Mavericks Surf Contest 2010 Spectator Boat from Rick Bucich on Vimeo.

I had intended to do video throughout the competition as well but ended up only doing stills, apparently being seasick quelled my ambition.  I'll be better prepared next year.

Here I have some of my Mavericks Surf Contest photos up and will be adding more shortly.

Maverick Surf Contest Photos

The surf contest at Maverick in Half Moon Bay, CA just wrapped up and I wanted to quickly post a few of my favorite photos.  These are just a few hours old so they haven't been properly edited or cropped.  The photos were taken from a boat located right off where the waves were breaking. It doesn't take a trained eye to tell that these were massive waves, although the break is known for getting even bigger! A special thank you to our captain Dennis Baxter aboard the New Captain Pete Sport Fishing boat for keeping us right in the action.

Needless to say it was extremely rough and many on the boat became sick (including myself).

The contest was won by South Africa's Chris Bertish, congratulations Chris!!!

I have a few more quickly edited photos in my Mavericks photo album on Flickr.  If you have any photos of your own from this year's competition, consider adding them to the Mavericks 2010 Flickr Group.

The jury is still out but so far very satisfied with how my Canon 7D handled.  I coupled it with a Canon 70-200 2.8 IS and 1.4 TC so you have an idea on the range I was dealing with.  A longer lens would have been nice but it was difficult to steady what I had as it was.  Planned on shooting some video...but considering how my stomach felt, that was a little too ambitious.

Mavericks Surf Contest or Movers?

We're moving to a new house, in fact the movers come to our house this Saturday. But today the organization that runs the Mavericks Surf Contest held a vote amongst the contestants and decided to hold it...you guessed it, Saturday. 

But this isn't any ordinary contest, it is only held when conditions are perfect and announced with only 24 hours notice.  The wave is one of the largest ride-able in the world, and is by invitation only.  Last year it wasn't even held because the ideal conditions didn't present themselves.

I'm in a bind, on one hand I have a boat pass to photograph the contest, something I've been waiting over two years to do. On the other hand, lots of work needs to be done around here to prepare for Saturday. If I miss it this year, it could take two more to see the opportunity again.

With my wife's blessing I will be in attendance in Half Moon Bay Saturday. Hoping my photos live up to my expectations.

And here I was feeling sorry for myself for missing the AT&T Pro AM Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach this weekend.

Amazing Mavericks Surf Video - Live From Surfboard

I had to share this amazing surf video taken at Mavericks live from camera mounted on a surfboard. Even if you don't surf it's incredible to watch.

Surf video c/o www.maverickssurf.com

Greg Long Wins Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational Surf Contest

Greg Long Wins 2009 Eddie Aikau

San Clemente surfer Greg Long won today's Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu in Haleiwa, HI.  Below is a photo of the event to give you an idea of the enormity of the waves.  The contest is only held with 24 hours notice when the conditions are perfect; it was last held in 2004.

The contest is named after famed North Shore lifeguard Eddie Aikau who lost his life saving others.  We have another legendary surf contest in our own backyard called Mavericks which could happen any day now, famous for its big waves but also taking the life of surfer Mark Foo in 1994. 

Mavericks Surf Contest To Take Place February 13, 2010

Updated 2/11/2010 -

Today a vote was held by the 24 surfing contestants and the Mavericks Surf Contest will be held
February 13, 2010 in Half Moon Bay, CA

------------------

The Mavericks Surf Contest is quickly becoming one of the better known and prestigious surfing competitions in the world...and it happens practically in my back yard.  A number of things set it apart, it is one of the largest waves in the world that can be ridden by surfboard, it takes place a half mile off shore, it is only called when the conditions are perfect with only 24 hours notice and only 24 surfers are invited total.  It gained extra notoriety in 1994 when famous big wave rider Mark Foo was killed surfing Mavericks. When the invited get the call, they drop whatever they're doing and head to Half Moon Bay California.

Because it takes place so far from shore, it isn't exactly an easy spectator event so people pay good money to get out on boats near the action (and presumably out of harms way) to see it up-close.  Last year I was lucky enough to be granted a press pass to be on the photo boat all day.  (notice there aren't any of my pictures in this post)  The conditions weren't right and the contest was not held last year.

We're back in the official waiting period again this year and I am hoping to get that golden press pass again.  I have been anxiously awaiting for well over a year for the season to roll in and I can't wait to get some shots.  Fortunately they have already had some big waves roll through this year and I have my bug-out-bag loaded with batteries, granola bars, sea-sickness pills, warm hat, extra memory cards etc...

Since this post is dull without some picks, here's a couple I can't take credit for to whet your appetite:

With any luck, I'll have a few of my own to display in the coming months. If they're anything like these photos I'll be stoked!

Happy Birthday John Wooden

Today, October 14 2009 is legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden's 99th birthday.

Happy Birthday Coach!  See ya next year!

Bocce Ball Outing in Los Gatos

I'm a little torn about this post given today is the 6 month anniversary of a rather significant event, read: Half A Year Away

There is nothing I can add that hasn't already been said many times over, but in memory of Maddie, this post represents getting on with life and contains just a few pictures from an enjoyable Tiny Prints social outing from this afternoon.

We went to a place in Los Gatos called Campo di Bocce, like a really upscale bowling alley but for bocce ball.  The department divided into two teams and as it turns out mine (green) won convincingly, if there had been a slaughter rule it would have been enacted, it was almost un-sporting with the score something like 1600 to 3...or so it seemed;)

Later we wrapped up the evening with a nice meal at the Los Gatos Brewing Company.

Our green ball took better directions that their red

Los Gatos Brewing Company

In this picture from left to right: me, Isabelle, Susan, Erika, Katie, Anum, Lea, Joyce, Anna & Paul - we were all sorry Amanda couldn't make it

Meet My Dad "Buddha"

My Dad After a Margarita, originally uploaded by jack'sdad.

This is my dad at today's 49er game tailgate party after a single margarita. He's has season tickets for 27 years and the last few have been unfruitful to say the least. But, he drives nearly two hours each way to gather with friends (who call him Buddha) at Candlestick Park and do their regular tailgate rituals, shrimp w/cocktail sauce, an assortment of chips, potato salad, garlic bread, steaks on the grill and the infamous "margatoonis." Margatoonis to the uninitiated are simply margaritas with the name corrupted. No one seems to remember how or why the name came about but you can bet alcohol played a part.

No one is really sure why he's called Buddha either but the name stuck. I can tell you that being contemplative or zen like didn't play a part in the equation. Perhaps it has something to do with his size 15 feet, the jury is out or it's some inside joke that he doesn't want to let his son in on.

By the way, he just turned 70...does he look 70? Didn't think so. Say after me: "Happy Birthday Buddha!"

While he seems to be in high spirits before the game, there was more of the same after since the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Seattle Sea Hawks rather convincingly. That makes two games in a row...a real reason to celebrate. I'm looking forward to sharing some of this joy with my son Jack, maybe next year he'll be ready for a seat in the stands.

Check out the other photos from out trip to today's SF 49er football game.

Smack Karma

This is a simple follow up to my Smack Talk post.  The gentlemen involved who did their utmost to butcher the English language while trying to belittle my college football team...well theirs was 3 touchdown favorite today against one of the worst teams in the conference, a team that set a record for no wins last year.

You guessed it, they lost...I find the episode oh so fitting, just and satisfying.  This is where the crowd cheers with the Rebels destroy the evil Death Star.  Oh, and just when it couldn't get any sweeter, my team won!  The college football gods corrected all that was wrong in the world...until next week of course.

Smack Talk Etiquette?

This post was inspired by some spirited banter regarding college football on Facebook between me and a couple guys from another "school of thought."  Been looking forward to writing this post all day, had it all planned out.  I was going to take a screen shot of the conversation and let it speak for itself considering each comment from these other folks was riddled with typos and grammatical errors.  Sincerely disappointed to find the whole dialog deleted this evening.

Now considering that these rivals of ours had earned every right to talk smack, their sports team is held in the highest esteem nationally and regularly beats mine, I don't begrudge them for injecting their point of view, I even said so.  But, if you're going to represent your university publicly in an open forum with the stated point of noting its superiority...you had better do so in a manner that doesn't make you look like a moron, leave that to forums where you can post anonymously.

Sorry I missed a golden opportunity to shed light on some genuine humor...you really should have seen it.  You just can't make this stuff up. 

Bay Area Bruins Enjoying UCLA Win Over Tennessee Volunteers

CIMG0417.JPG, originally uploaded by jack'sdad.

A bunch of Bay Area Bruins get together today at the First & Main Sports Lounge in Los Altos. Picked up a win against the University of Tennessee Volunteers, met some new friends and enjoyed a beautiful day.

No offense Lane Kiffin but the smack talking to the rest of the SEC made the win so much sweeter. If you can't beat a middle of the road Pac 10 team at home, this doesn't bode well for you.

College Football Is Here...

Not necessarily embraced by the whole household but definitely by the gray matter between my ears, college football season for me is a time, typically full of disappointment.  Let me think of how many seasons since being an undergrad ended on a true high note...check back in a few days after I've had a chance to contemplate.  Some of my best memories are of mid or late season games and many a bowl game has been a yawner.  But, nevertheless, I look forward to this time of year much a 7 year old does, counting the days and hours to Christmas. 

Would I be writing this had UCLA lost to SDSU yesterday?  Nope, I would be changing the subject, lowering expectations and moving on.  It would be as if Christmas came for that 7 year old but they were told up front there would be no gifts.  

But, like a tease, we did get a win yesterday and with it heightened unrealistic expectations and the inevitable doom and loom of a meaningful loss.  Just glad I wasn't an Oregon State fan last year, sheesh!

Does this sound jaded?  You bet...but it is still the best time of the year and always will be.  There is nothing like tailgating with friends on a fairway of the Brookside Golf Course when at the Rose Bowl.  It's the best and I'll take it win or lose.

Yeah, that's fairway grass we're parked on, eat your heart out:)

Oh yeah, and we have Roscoe's too!