Surfer’s ban causes a stir at Mavericks

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The worldwide big-wave surf community was shocked this week as word began spreading about a disturbing development: South Africa’s Grant “Twiggy” Baker, by all measures the most accomplished surfer at Mavericks, has been banned from this year’s contest.

Organizers issued a statement saying Baker would be banned for one year, rather than for life. While the statement offered no definitive explanation, speculation centers on the ongoing discord between the Titans of Mavericks, as the contest is called, and the World Surf League, which runs the professional tour and holds a separate big-wave tour.

The WSL has tried for years to enlist Mavericks on its tour, which also includes events in Chile, Peru, Oregon, the Basque country of Spain, Hawaii (“Jaws” on Maui) and two events in Mexico (Todos Santos and the mainland region). It never came together, largely due to personality conflicts at the highest level, and it’s a touchy issue because no big-wave tour is quite complete without the fabled break off the coast of Half Moon Bay.

Mavericks organizers have always cherished their independence — in the manner of the annual Eddie Aikau contest at Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore — and the Southern California-based Cartel company, which runs the Mavericks event, has reportedly locked up a contest permit for the next five years.

There are surfers, though, who cherish the prospect of surfing the WSL’s big-wave events. Baker is certainly among them, having regularly competed on that tour and having won its overall title in 2013-14.

The decision on Baker was made not by Cartel but by the five-man committee that makes all decisions regarding the Mavericks entry list: Jeff Clark, Matt Ambrose, Darryl “Flea” Virostko, Ion Banner and Shawn Rhodes.

Baker won the first Mavericks contest he entered, in February 2006. He finished second in January ’08, reached the semifinals in February 2010 and won for a second time in January ’14, the last time the event was held.

Grant "Twiggy" Baker finishes off a nice ride during the 2010 Mavericks contest, held in the largest surf yet witnessed in the event. Grant "Twiggy" Baker finishes off a nice ride during the 2010 Mavericks contest, held in the largest surf yet witnessed in the event. Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close Surfer’s ban causes a stir at Mavericks 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

Bruce Jenkins is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: bjenkins@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Bruce_Jenkins1