The Mavericks Surf Contest is still on waiting period, but has only a few weeks left before the window closes. The event preparations got off to a rough start when organizers were having a hard time finding sponsors, as the economy took a downturn. But after jumping the sponsorship hurdle, the contest has since then faced a long "surf drought" at the California big wave spot. The same weather that has partly contributed to roughly a 50% drop in the Metropolitan water reserve has also been responsible for the flat spell at Half Moon Bay. With little swells in sight, the window to hold the contest closes on March 31st and organizers are closely monitoring the north pacific. (Fore the latest on the contest, check the Mavericks Surf Contest 's website; also, see the ABC News story.)