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Surf EuropeNews

16 marzo, 2009 : - -

O'Neill Cold Water Classic Series 2009

O’NEILL COLD WATER CLASSIC SERIES THE MOST NORTHERN,
THE MOST SOUTHERN, THE WILDEST, THE COLDEST & THE MOST CLASSIC
SURF CONTEST ON THE PLANET

 

 

30 march 2009

JORDY SMITH WINS THE FIRST EVER O’NEILL COLD WATER CLASSIC SERIES EVENT IN TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

 

 

29 March 2009, Marrawah, Tasmania - It was a battle of the World Tour surfers, as Jordy Smith took out the inaugural Cold Water Classic Series event held in truly epic conditions at Bluff Reef in Marrawah, Tasmania.

In solid 8-foot swell, offshore winds and just to top it off - sunshine, Jordy Smith and Damien Hobgood showed just why they are two of the top World Tour surfers at the moment.

“It was good to get a win,” said Jordy. “It’s been a while. Damo’s been ripping this whole event,” he said. “I looked up to him as a kid so it’s great to be out there with one of your heroes.”

For Damien it was an impressive second place performance, but he was disappointed not to win the engraved wooden trophy; “I was hoping to dedicate that trophy to the Marrawah pub,” he said. “I had needed to step it up. I just didn’t do it. It was hard for me. Sometimes I was really hanging on with my toes so hard. It’s a little bit more bumpy out there than it looks for sure.”

Jordy Smith had blazed his way to the finals, knocking out the phenomenal Australian talent of Owen Wilson in the quarterfinals before an exciting close semifinal heat against the Brazilian Jadson Andre.

The other semifinal also could not fail to disappoint given the talent on offer at this competition coupled with the perfect conditions. The American Patrick Gudauskas narrowly missed out on advancing to the finals with a spectacular barrel on his last wave which came so close to the 9.07 score he had required against Damien Hobgood.

“Thank you to O’Neill for thinking out of the box,” said Damien after his heat, “and thank you to all the people in Marrawah who have been so welcoming and so open.”

Among them were Christel and Max Whish-Wilson who let the final contest day move into their house and front lawn – looking out over Bluff Reef.

“It’s been an awesome experience,” said Christel. “We’ve had the best guys staying with us while we cook and take care of them. They’re so well mannered.”

“Having the final here today was exceptional. We had the first day and now the last day here. We just loved it. Max and I both loved it. Hopefully it will come back next year as well.”

It has been a spectacular week both in the surf and out at this first stop on the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series.

Rob Bain, O’Neill’s marketing manager summed it up saying; “It’s been more successful that I could have hoped. We wanted raw and challenging, remote and adventurous, and a good spirit and adventure around the event. We ticked all those boxes,” he said.

“The biggest thing I am proud of,” said Rob, “is the spirit of both the locals and the surfers around the event. The locals didn’t know who the surfers were and they didn’t care. All they cared about was if they were good kids or not, and they all came with such a good attitude and spirit.”

 

 

27 March 2009, Marrawah, Tasmania

 

It was a morning of falling stars as a host of surfing’s big names who had made their way to this remote corner of the world for the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Tasmania, had their stay surprisingly cut short.

American World Tour surfer, CJ Hobgood, big wave charger Mark Mathews, renowned talent, Cory Lopez, and Basque World Tour surfer, Aritz Aranburu were all knocked out of the round of 48 which took place in rough 4 foot seas at Nettles Bay in Marrawah.

If ever there has been a contest that has capitalised on its mobile format – this is it. The fourth day of competition following a lay day provided yet another new competition venue for the surfers on this northwest corner of Tasmania.

“I lingered at Bluff Reef this morning for a while,” said contest director Matt Wilson. “We wanted to give that wave every chance, but it just wasn’t consistent enough. It was a situation where it wasn’t big enough for the reef, but it was almost too big for the other locations.”

“We have six spots to chose from here on the Northwest coast,” said Matt. “There’s Bluff Reef, Bluff Beach, Kelpy’s, Lighthouse, Green’s and Nettle’s. I looked at them all. Nettles was the best of them.”

Although now out of the competition, Sydney surfer and the event’s ambassador, Mark Mathews has been loving his time in Tasmania. “I’ve never been to this part of the state before, so I’ve been loving exploring somewhere new,” he said. “Hopefully after this I’m going to be able to do the whole Cold Water Classic Series.”

Two surfers who managed to continue through to the round of 24 were South African surfing phenomenon Jordy Smith, as well as CJ’s brother Damien Hobgood, both winning their heats in convincing style.

“I was excited to come here,” said Damien. “I love surfing to be able to go and travel to new places. When we were up on the Goldie people started talking about how we would need a caravan down here – we started thinking what had we got ourselves into? But these people ended up moving out of their house to let us stay,” he said. “The people here are so incredibly friendly. It really makes a place.”

The round of 24 will continue tomorrow with the swell dropping slightly towards the afternoon, before a new swell is forecast to come in. The call will be made tomorrow March 28 at 7.30am.

 

Warmond, The Netherlands, March 14, 2009
The wilds of Tasmania ready to kick off O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series 2009 One of the most highly anticipated events to hit the world surfing stage, the O’Neill Cold Water Classic (CWC) is gathering momentum. With five ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) events exploring spectacular surf spots throughout remote corners of the world, the CWC series will start in the wilds of Tasmania, Australia on March 23rd before heading to South Africa, Scotland, Canada and Santa Cruz. From March 23 – 29, 2009 the series will venture into the far northwest corner of Tasmania, Australia’s island state. The town of Marrawah is Tasmania’s most western settlement in an area known for its pounding Southern Ocean surf, Aboriginal sites, extensive farmland and isolated beaches. Green Point beach is one of Australia’s most renowned surfing beaches, but the event remains mobile to make the most of this coastline. This is the most Southern event within professional surfing. As ambassador for the 6Star WQS event, newly signed O’Neill rider and celebrated big wave rider, Mark Mathews is looking forward to this first stop of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series. “I’ve been exploring the Tasmanian coastline on and off for the past seven years,” he said. “It is one of the most beautiful and at the same time, rugged coastlines in the world. I’ve ridden the best wave of my life out there and also suffered the heaviest wipeout of my life. I’m proud to be an ambassador for the event as it’s one of the most amazing surf destinations in the world.” “I think the O’Neill Cold Water Classic series is going to be a breath of fresh air for the WQS” he said. “The rugged coastline and large swells in Tasmania will really test all the competitors involved and will make for a spectacular action-packed event.”

CWC SCOTLAND, Thurso On April 29 until May 6, 2009, the CWC Series then heads up to the other end of the world - to Thurso, Scotland for the already popular 6star Prime WQS event. The most northerly town on the British mainland, Thurso offers a wealth of quality reef breaks for the mobile format of the contest to take full advantage of the Scottish Highland swell. Local surfing legend, Andy Baine as well as Sam Lamiroy, a regular visitor to Scotland’s reef breaks, will be the two ambassadors for this event.

CWC SOUTH AFRICA, Cape Town When the CWC Series hits South African waters for the third event on the series from June 20-24, 2009, it will be surfing phenomenon Jordy Smith who will be acting as ambassador for this 4 Star WQS event. “The Western Cape area is a beautiful part of South Africa,” Jordy says. “There are lots of mountain ranges and so many different bays that offer a huge variety of surf spots. You can also have four seasons in one day. It can go from hot to cold so quickly.” “My favourite wave is Misty Cliffs,” he says. “It’s one of the best high performance waves in the world. I’m looking forward to having an event of this quality in South Africa.”

CWC CANADA, Tofino Vancouver Island has been confirmed for the Canadian stop of the series from October 25 – 31, 2009. “It is one of the most incredible places you could ever hope to hold a surfing competition,” says O’Neill Global Event manager, Bernhard Ritzer. “With the possibility of snow on the ground at that time of year, a huge variety of options when it comes to surf and lots of amazing wildlife we are delighted to be able to host what will be the first ever professional ASP event in Canada in such a prime location.” This is the coldest contest in professional surfing. Based out of the town of Tofino, the 6 Star WQS event won’t fail to impress. With a world class beachbreak set up, a staggering diversity of wildlife from whales and sea lions to black bears and cougars, snow on the ground during the autumn and winter months, as well as a water temperature which drops to 8 degrees in the winter, this really is as wild as it gets. Tofino local and international competitive surfer, Noah Cohen is the event ambassador for Canada.

CWC CALIFORNIA, Santa Cruz The Cold Water Classic series culminates at the iconic Cold Water Classic event in Santa Cruz from November 2-8, 2009. The 6 Star Prime competition at Steamer Lane with legendary Santa Cruz local, Jason ‘Ratboy’ Collins as ambassador will also see the crowning of the 2009 CWC Champion. The Cold Water Classic Series will have its own dedicated CWC ranking list, with $50,000 prize money for the overall series winner. Each event will feature its own ambassador, a surfer with an intimate and local connection to each of the areas. In addition, all events will hold trials, providing local surfers in each location the opportunity to qualify into the main event. ASP International CEO, Brodie Carr believes the introduction of the Cold Water Classic Series will have a significant and positive impact on the WQS; “The O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series represents an exciting and unique addition to the ASP World Tour Calendar. The established events of Scotland and Santa Cruz are already hugely popular with the surfers and the addition of the high rated events in Canada, Tasmania and South Africa really broadens and supports not only this series, but the WQS as a whole.”

 

 

 

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