Mavericks Surf Contest Could Wipe Out -- for Good

Mavericks wipeout?

​The popular Mavericks surfing contest has had a bad streak. Last year, spectators were injured by violent waves as they watched the event, and this year, one surfer died while another nearly drowned. Now the sponsors of the world-class surfing event have walked away.

Barracuda Networks, the event's sole sponsor, told reporters that it will no longer financially carry the Mavericks event. Instead, the company will direct its efforts to other projects.

Barracuda had initially agreed to a three-year contract, but since no papers were signed, the company pulled out of the deal on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Half Moon Bay Surf Group, which was formed to help run the event, has also announced it will disband. Media outlets report that there was growing tension between Barracuda and the surf group about how the event should be produced.

But even if the contest doesn't go on, you can catch Mavericks in the theaters soon. The film will star Gerard Butler as Jay Moriarity, the famous Mavericks surfer, who died in 2001.

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