O’Neill Cold Water Classic - California 2010

DAY 1

After a second year of exploring the globe for remote world-class waves, following four events on four different continents, the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series 2010 comes down to this iconic event. In the birthplace of O’Neill and still the home of Jack O’Neill and his family, the Santa Cruz final is the perfect place to crown the Overall Series Winner 2010. With the swell decreasing from today’s 2-3 foot conditions, before picking up again towards the end of the week, contest organizers had to storm through the local trials early in the morning and straight into the round of 128. Jason Collins aka Ratboy posted the highest heat total of the day with a 14.33 out of a possible 20! The Geiselman brothers were up against each other in the round of 128 with Evan finishing top ahead of his brother Eric, the runner up at the Cold Water Classic Canada last week.

DAY 2 & 3

The 2nd day of competition was cancelled due to heavy fog and small swell. The contest took advantage of an unexpected small push in swell this morning to finish off the Round of 128 in clean 2-to-3 foot conditions at Steamer Lane. And it was once again the local brigade that stole the show. Big wave surfer and Santa Cruz local, Peter Mel, posted the highest heat score of the competition so far with a 14.80. With the Round of 128 completed, the contest went on hold until midday when it was decided to postpone the Round of 96 until the morning.

DAY 4

The swell rolled into Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz today for the O’Neill Cold Water Classic California. The top names in surfing got into the water and put on a spectacular show for the gathering crowds. Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Nat Young (USA) - both previous winners at this competition - were battling it out at first light. In the first heat of the day local boy Nat took the victory. Jordy Smith, current ASP World Number Two, finished second. The standout of the day was Australian Dayyan Neve scoring an 8.23 and a 9.33 - and thus the highest heat score of the day. The battle for the $50.000 has commenced! Currently leading the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series, Shaun Cansdell, was first in the water, coming out top of his heat. Fellow Australian and series runner up Stuart Kennedy didn’t have a problem to pass his heat either.

DAY 5

The 5th day of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic California was full of drama, drama, drama! It started in heat 2 in the round of 48. With Jordy Smith (ZAF), Shaun Cansdell (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA) and Roy Powers (HAW) together in one heat, it was definitely one to watch! Jordy Smith however had rolled his ankle at a charity event last night and as a precautionary measure ahead of Puerto Rico, pulled out of the heat. Raoni and Roy finished ahead of current CWC Series leader Shaun Cansdell and knocked him out of the competition!! Shaun’s fate and that of the $50.000 was left up to second placed Stuart Kennedy (AUS) who was surfing later in the morning. And so the drama continued: Stuart Kennedy was also knocked out of his heat in the round of 48 meaning Shaun Cansdell maintains the Series lead, but has not quite won the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series 2010 yet. His fate now lies in the hands of fellow Australian, Dion Atkinson who must reach the finals to secure a CWC Series win after making it through his round of 24 heat in the dying seconds. 19 year old Santa Cruz local Nat Young put on quite a show at his home break coming through top of both his heats. 20 year old New Zealander Billy Stairmand scored the highest heat total of the day with a 15.27. And the youngest competitor here, 16 year old Kolohe Andino (USA) impressed all with his aerial skills.