Window For Mavericks Surf Contest Opens

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP) -- The window for the Mavericks surf contest in Half Moon Bay is now open.

Surfers invited to the event will look for the best waves between Wednesday and Feb. 28 to hold the contest. Support from a majority of the invited competitors is needed to settle on a day.

The surfers then have 24 hours to get to Half Moon Bay before the contest starts.

Many of the 24 competitors invited to this year's event gathered in Half Moon Bay on Tuesday to pick their places in the lineup for the contest.

This year's event has new organizers and will not allow fans on the beach or bluffs. That rule was approved after spectators were swept off their feet and injured by strong breakers at the last contest.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)