SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The world’s best big wave surfers will likely have to wait another year to compete in a prestigious and perilous wave-riding contest off the Northern California coast.

Forecasters for the Jay at Maverick’s surf competition say the official contest window closes on Feb. 28 and the right combination of swell, wind and weather most likely won’t come together before
then.

The event’s chief forecaster, Mark Sponsler, says no one is too surprised because it’s a La Nina year, which means fewer big swell-creating storms in the North Pacific.

Ten-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater, who was going to compete at Mavericks’ this year for the first time since 2000, says he will likely try to compete next year.

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