Mavericks Surf Ventures and Bolt Media Launch National Big-Wave Surfing Hub

Mavericks Surf Ventures and Bolt Media Launch National Big-Wave Surfing Hub Coca-Cola, Verizon Wireless Sign as Lead Sponsors HALF MOON BAY, Calif., and NEW YORK, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Mavericks Surf Ventures and Bolt Media today announced the launch of http://www.maverickssurf.com/, the new official website for the world-famous Mavericks Surf Contest(TM). Built by Bolt Media and accessible to Bolt's 4.5 million monthly unique website visitors, the site includes exclusive photos and video, daily Mavericks surf reports, an online store offering official Mavericks(TM) brand merchandise, and a ground-breaking live webcast of the 2005 Contest. With the support of lead sponsors Coca-Cola and Verizon Wireless, the Mavericks experience will be accessible year-round to fans across the country, marking the Contest's evolution from an elusive local event into a national media and wireless production. Mavericks is a world-renowned big-wave located one-half mile off the coast of Half Moon Bay, California. First surfed by 17-year-old Jeff Clark in 1975, Mavericks exploded with a Surfer Magazine cover article in 1992. Mavericks has since hosted three historic big-wave surfing contests, most recently on February 27, 2004, where 15,000 spectators and two million television viewers experienced the event. This year, on just 24-hours' notice, 24 of the world's best big-wave surfers will journey to Half Moon Bay to face waves that have crested over 60 feet, frigid waters, dangers currents, jagged rocks and the ever-present threat of the Great White Shark. The Mavericks Surf Contest(TM) offers the ultimate challenge to the ultimate big-wave surfers, many of whom have been featured in the popular films Riding Giants and Step into Liquid. "As Mavericks' legend has grown, we've worked hard to give fans an inside look at the most dangerous wave in the world," offered Mavericks Surf Ventures' Keir J. Beadling. "Partnering with Bolt Media and generously supported by Coca-Cola and Verizon Wireless, we are excited to provide people across the country the opportunity to experience authentic Mavericks wherever they are and whenever they want." The site will be live and updated year- round, allowing fans to have an ongoing dialogue about Mavericks and the surfers who brave these waves. The collaboration between Mavericks Surf Ventures and Bolt Media is evolving the Mavericks Surf Contest(TM) from a local event into a nationally- recognized media property that includes Internet, event and television broadcast components. "We're thrilled to be able to introduce our valued clients to the Mavericks phenomenon," commented Bolt Media CEO Aaron Cohen. "Surfing's popularity continues to rise among youth, and Coca-Cola and Verizon Wireless have shown their marketing vision to be spot on; even ahead of the curve, by aligning with Mavericks." In addition to Coca-Cola and Verizon Wireless, other sponsors of this year's $75,000 Mavericks Surf Contest(TM) include Balance Vector, the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, Cabo Wabo Enterprises, ClifBar and Surfer Magazine. About The Mavericks Surf Contest(TM) and Mavericks Surf Ventures, LLC: Mavericks Surf Ventures, LLC is a partnership between surfing legend Jeff Clark and San Francisco-based sports management and marketing firm Evolve Sports, LLC. Mavericks Surf Ventures produces The Mavericks Surf Contest(TM) and offers apparel and other licensed merchandise under the Mavericks(TM) brand. Coined as "the wave beyond," Mavericks(TM) inspires hard core athletes to face the unpredictably raw power of Mother Nature, and stirs the souls of those who aspire to challenge their own limits. On a date to be determined on 24-hours' notice during the winter season of 2004-05, 24 invited surfers will battle to determine the next Champion of The Mavericks Surf Contest(TM). About Bolt Media: Bolt is a media company that brings together 4.5 million high school and college kids each month at Bolt.com. The company fuses journalism with consumer-generated content to catalyze conversations about things young people want and need to talk about -- music, movies, gaming, dating, activism and technology. At Bolt, our business is helping young people find each other and enabling brands to connect with our members. Founded in 1996, Bolt is headquartered in New York City. Source: Mavericks Surf Ventures, LLC; Bolt Media CONTACT: Keir J. Beadling of Mavericks Surf Ventures, LLC, +1-415-595-3741, or keir@maverickssurf.com; or Brynn Thomas of Bolt Media, +1-917-697-4216, or bthomas@boltstaff.com Web site: http://www.maverickssurf.com/ http://www.bolt.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment