HALF MOON BAY, Calif. — The Mavericks big wave surf contest lives on for another year, despite recent trouble attracting sponsors.

Organizers say they have lined up enough sponsorship to pay for the event, and say the contest window will open on Jan. 1 and extend through March 31.

Huge waves, cold water and a rocky coastline make Mavericks, which breaks off of Pillar Point near Half Moon Bay, one of the most challenging surfing spots in the world.

Each year surfers from around the world are on call during the contest window. The surfers get 24-hour notice when surf forecasters determine the conditions are right.

The window usually starts in December, but organizers were having trouble finding sponsors for this year's contest.