NEWSWIRE via ASP - LONG BEACH, Kommetjie/South Africa - 7.29.10, Greg Emslie has won the O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa ahead of Australian, Dion Atkinson, continuing the sporting success of a nation well into 2010.”Jordy (Smith) won the other two local events and now I’ve won the third,” said Greg, hailing from East London, South Africa. “I was thinking to myself I beat Jordy in this event, now I can’t let the guy down and lose the final. We’ve got to keep all the trophies at home, so I’m stoked I managed to do that.”The crowds flocked to Long Beach on the Cape Peninsula to witness a South African win on home soil for the first time as part of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa, cheering Greg’s every wave from the shore.

“The crowd all want you to win so if you lose you feel like you’ve let them down,” said Greg who also knocked out the in-form surfer of this event Shaun Cansdell in the quarter finals earlier in the day.

The local crowd might even have been hoping for an all-South African final, but it was Australian Dion Atkinson who mixed things up and gave everyone on the beach a scare as it came down to a final wave in the dying minutes for Greg Emslie to take and secure the win.

“I felt the best I’ve felt all contest when I took that last wave,” said Greg. “I knew I just had to go for it and I did.”

For Dion it was a different story: “I didn’t even see that last wave,” he said. “Next thing I knew I turned to the beach and saw him on it and thought… oh no, what just happened.”

However it’s not all bad news for Dion as he moves up to fourth position in the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series ratings in the chase for the $50,000 behind Shaun Cansdell, Stuart Kennedy and in first,Royden Bryson.

The final day of this year’s O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa was played out in relatively mild conditions compared to what the Cape Peninsula has produced this past week.

The winds had eased, the swell had dropped and the sun was still shining… but the water temperature offered a bit of a surprise elementfor all the guys jumping in for their heat.

“It definitely hits you when you first get in it,” said Dion. “My hands and feet were feeling it, and I was trying to avoid duck diving as much as I could. It feels as cold as it is when we surf Canada for the Series. But it was really fun conditions today.”

The O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada is next, starting on October 9th in Tofino.

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Nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 38, will be a top seed in this year’s US Open of Surfing. Photo courtesy ASP

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME US Open of Surfing presented by Hurley and Nike 6.0 is kicking off its 2010 venue and with 33 ASP Dream Tour competitors in the men’s draw and the event boasting a women’s ASP 6-Star division, the highest level of professional surfing is guaranteed to unfold at South Huntington Beach Pier.

The 2010 US Open of Surfing is a marathon event that not only includes competitors from the Men’s ASP PRIME and Women’s ASP 6-Star event seeking ratings points to qualify for the prestigious ASP Dream Tour, but also holds the ASP Grade-2 US Open Junior Pro, which will showcase the nation’s finest men’s and women’s ASP Pro Junior talent hunting for a position of the inaugural ASP World Junior Tour.

Tanner Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 22, current ASP Dream Tour rookie, is ecstatic to compete alongside his fellow ASP World Title Race surfers in Huntington Beach and the young goofy-footer’s familiarity of the famous California beachbreak has him fired up to compete against the world’s best in familiar territory.

“The U.S Open is a really special event because it still draws the top of the Dream Tour but in the conditions of the Star events,” Gudauskas said. “It’s a fun time to play on a more even playing field in conditions where you feel comfortable. Growing up in Southern California, I have always looked forward to being a part of the US Open and this year is no different. I can’t wait to put that jersey on and have a go!”

With thousands of spectators flocking to Huntington Beach Pier’s amphitheater, some competitors may find the uncharacteristic crowds unbearable, but Gudauskas feeds off of the crowd’s energy to battle through heats.

“I love the crowds,” Gudauskas said. “It gets me pumped up to know that there are so many people that are passionate about surfing and it makes me want to go out and try my hardest.”

Dane Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA), 24, suffered a vicious ankle injury while competing in Tasmania in late March, but after several months of rehabilitation, the powerful goofy-footer will be back in a jersey at this year’s US Open.

“In the Tasmania event I suffered a pretty severe ankle sprain and it kept me out of the water for three months,” Gudauskas said. “I’ve been back surfing for the better part of a month and I couldn’t be more stoked to be surfing! The US open will be my first event back and I couldn’t be looking forward to it more. Since I have been out of the water I’ve had my eyes on one thing, getting back in the jersey and competing at a high level. I’m feeling focused, healthy and I’m really looking forward to this event.”

Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA), 17, who is the defending US Open champion, is ready to defend her title, but despite being a local at Huntington Beach Pier, the up-and-coming regular-footer knows that her homebreak’s tricky characteristics make it anyone’s game.

“Every year is so different,” Conlogue said. “I obviously would love to make it as far as I can. I want to try and win again and get a good result, but Huntington is a tricky spot because the sandbars are always changing. It’s pretty much anyone’s ball game out there. I guess I have home field advantage because I get to sleep in my own bed, but I’m just trying to take it heat-by-heat and earn those points towards qualifying.”

Conlogue, who has been a standout amongst her international peers for several years now, has recently graduated and has her sights set on a spot on the ASP Women’s World Tour. With the US Open as the only women’s ASP Star event on the 2010 calendar in Mainland America, Conlogue is out to capitalize on the invaluable ratings points on offer to help her cause.

“This is my first year trying to qualify for the Women’s World Tour,” Conlogue said. “Trying to juggle both school and competition was challenging but now that I’ve graduated with top honors I feel like I’ve been able to dedicate equal time to both surfing and my education.”

Sage Erickson (Ventura, CA), 19, is one young talent who is competing in both the US Open of Surfing and the US Open Junior Pro and hopes that she can build momentum through the ASP Pro Junior division before tackling the globe’s best female surfing talent in the women’s ASP 6-Star event.

“ The level of Pro Junior competition is amazing and I’m so glad to be a part of it,” Erickson said. “I signed up for the Pro Junior knowing that it would be a good warm up for the 6-Star. Once you find your groove out at Huntington Beach you’re pretty unstoppable in each heat and I know that girls like Carissa (Moore) and Malia (Manuel) will push me in every department to surf my best and find that groove.”

Marquee names also competing for their piece of the impressive $250,000 prize purse in the ASP PRIME US Open of Surfing include nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (Cocoa Beach, FL), 38, reigning two-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS), 29, three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (Hanalei, HI), 32, 2001 ASP World Champion C.J. Hobgood (Melbourne, FL), 31, three-time ASP World Champion and event wildcard Tom Curren (Santa Barbara, CA), 46, current ASP World No. 1 Jordy Smith (ZAF), 22, and American talent Dane Reynolds (Ventura, CA), 24.

Top names in the women’s ASP 6-Star event include reigning three-time ASP Women’s World Champion and former US Open of Surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 22, and former ASP Women’s World Champions Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 27, and Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 26, amongst others.

The US Open of Surfing runs from July 31 through August 8, 2010 and will be webcast LIVE via usopenofsurfing.com.

For additional ASP information log on to aspworldtour.com or aspnorthamerica.org.

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40th annual Surfer Poll relocates to North Shore

Sunset Beach : photo Grant Ellis Surfer Poll Surfer Poll relocates to North Shore for 40th anniversary San Clemente — After 39 years on the Mainland, SURFER Magazine is pleased to announce the 40th anniversary of SURFER Poll is being relocated to the Turtle Bay Resort on O’ahu’s North Shore, December 6, 2010, in conjunction with the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Helping to bring the event to this culturally significant location are presenting sponsors Verizon Wireless and Samsung. “We’re really excited to be bringing SURFER Poll to the mecca of surfing during the most exciting month on the surf world’s calendar,” says SURFER Publisher Tony Perez. “We owe a lot of thanks to the incredible North Shore community, Verizon Wireless and Samsung, and to the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing for allowing us the opportunity to further enhance the prestige of SURFER Poll.” “Moving SURFER Poll to the North Shore is a no-brainer,” says SURFER Editor-in-Chief Joel Patterson. “Hawaii is the heart of the surf community, and the Vans Triple Crown is the grand finale of our year…how could ‘the biggest night in surfing’ not be December 6th at the Turtle Bay Resort? And moving the event is giving us the opportunity to make some exciting changes and to think about the night from a new perspective.” Each year, the SURFER Poll (the surf equivalent of the People’s Choice Awards meets the Academy Awards wrapped up into one raging party) crowns the Top 10 male and Top 5 female surfers as voted on by SURFER’s readers. Past Poll winners include: Andy Irons, Stephanie Gilmore, Tom Curren, Lisa Andersen, and, of course, 15-time No. 1 Kelly Slater, to name a few. Online voting for 2010 will kick off in early August. But the Poll is only half the night. The video awards show honors the best individual performances of the year as well as the best cinematography, heaviest wipeout, and the film of the year. And with the explosion of incredible web-exclusive surf filmmaking in the past few years, award categories have been added to recognize everything from the cutting edge of performance, to the great work of environmental and humanitarian champions, to surfing’s lighter side. Along with all of the world’s top surfers in attendance each year, SURFER Poll also attracts an onslaught of notable personalities from the worlds of action sports, professional sports, movies, television and music. Although the event is limited to invited guests only, fans the world-over can catch all of the action as it happens via a live webcast with behind-the-scenes and red-carpet reporting as well as exclusive interviews with the winners. Special thanks to presenting sponsors, Verizon Wireless and Samsung, and additional supporters of the 2010 SURFER Poll: Suzuki Auto, Red Bull Surfing, Skullcandy, New Era, Peligroso Tequila, and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. www.surferpoll.com www.surfermag.com Surfersvillage - SURFSPOTS-GPS      BIG WAVE eXtreme surfing International News Magazine

Orange basslets in soft coral/National Geographic

Watch the Earth’s Frontiers show at the following times: Thursday, July 29, 12.30, 16.30; Saturday, July 31, 7.30, 17.30, 20.00; Sunday, August 1, 03.00, 07.30, 15.00. All times GMT

School of fusiliers/National Geographic

London, England (CNN) — The oceans have become so depleted by over-fishing, pollution and climate change that they can only be saved by a large global network of reserves, according to a growing consensus among marine scientists.

Campaigners say that sea life — particularly at the top of the food chain — is suffering to such an extent that there will eventually be no fish left if action drastic action is not taken to protect the oceans.

More than 70 percent of the world is covered by oceans. There are currently more than 4,000 marine protected areas covering just over 1 percent of the oceans, but the vast majority of reserves have only limited protection.

According to Professor Callum Roberts, of the University of York, one of the leading campaigners and author of The Unnatural History of the Sea, only about 0.1 percent of the sea is completely protected from all exploitation. This should be between 25 and 45 percent to give marine species the best chance of recovery, he said.

The Global Ocean Legacy, a project of the Pew Environment Group, issued a statement to mark World Oceans Day in June signed by 257 marine scientists in 37 countries calling for a large network of highly protected no-take reserves.

Prof Roberts told CNN: “There’s strong and ample evidence that the oceans’ eco systems are in trouble and need protection.

“Fishing now reaches every corner of the world’s oceans, so the only refuges are those we have chosen to create.

“In the future climate change is going to loom ever more heavily as a factor in damaging marine life. The only way the oceans can remain resilient to climate change is by establishing more protection.”

According to Greenpeace, 90 percent of the large predator fish stocks are gone or in trouble and 90 percent of exploited fish stocks in the European Union are in trouble.

David Ritter, head of biodiversity at Greenpeace UK, told CNN: “There’s no doubt that the oceans are in crisis.

“All over the world, we are seeing a systematic degradation of the marine environment.

“In some fisheries as many as 80 percent of fish are simply thrown away as by-catch.

“Fish stocks are collapsing, taking out first the top predators, such as sharks, tuna and swordfish, and moving down the food chain.

“We now have a lot more small fish and crustaceans because their predators are gone, but eventually they will be gone too. We could end up with a situation where there’s nothing left but worms.”

The Pew Environment Group set up its five-year Global Ocean Legacy project in 2007 with the intention of persuading governments to set up four very large marine reserves: 410,000 sq miles in the Coral Sea off Australia; a 246,000 sq mile area around the Kermadec Islands near New Zealand; the Mariana Trench, the world’s deepest trench in U.S. waters in the Pacific; and 210,000 sq miles around the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean.

So far, two of these targets, the Mariana Trench and the Chagos Islands, have been successful, and the other two campaigns are ongoing.

The Chagos Islands, protected in April this year by the UK government, became the world’s largest marine reserve.

Jay Nelson, director of Global Ocean Legacy, said: “We are asking too much of our oceans and not paying enough attention to their long-term health.

“For 150 years, it’s been accepted that iconic or important places on land should be protected, but in the sea it’s a relatively new idea.

“Fisheries are getting further and further afield and we are getting more unusual species of fish from parts of the ocean we would not have dreamt of going to 30 years ago.

“The emergence of fish like Chilean Seabass is an example. The species is actually Patagonian Toothfish, but that’s not a good name for marketing. These fish take 80 years to mature, and you can’t sustainably eat a fish that’s 80 years old. We are already having to go further and further south into the Antarctic Ocean to find it.

In 2009, the UK introduced a Marine and Coastal Access Act, creating new Marine Conservation Zones, although the act did not go as far as some campaigners had hoped because no target was set for the percentage of UK waters to be protected.

Other countries which have made significant progress on creating marine reserves include Germany, Australia, South Africa, the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia, according to Prof Roberts.

However, the majority of the world’s oceans are international waters, where there is no single body responsible for their protection.

Nelson said: “Reserves are relatively easy to set up in national waters because governments can take unilateral action.

“However, it’s more complicated in international waters because they require co-operation across nations. Surveillance and enforcement in international waters is particularly challenging.”

Nelson said that one 36,000 sq mile reserve had been set up last year in international waters around the South Orkney Islands in the Southern Ocean, and that progress was being made towards others.

Any move towards creating marine reserves comes against resistance from some parts of the fishing industry, which says its livelihood is at stake.

Nelson said: “Marine reserves upset the status quo that all oceans should be open to everyone all the time, and to change that is a threat to some of those who use the oceans.

“However, our experience is that once marine reserves have been set up, everyone sees the benefits, even those who were opposed to them.

“Once reserves have been created we see the fish populations in neighboring fisheries increase and the size of individual fish increase.

“Our oceans have been so depleted that scientists don’t even know what they should look like when they’re healthy. However, where reserves have been set up, we are beginning to see that.”

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Contributed photo Andy Irons rides atop a Huntington Beach wave at the 2009 U.S. Open of Surfing. Irons will be among the elite group of male competitors when the 2010 U.S. Open gets underway Saturday at the famous California break.

LIHU‘E — Building upon last year’s historic event that showcased epic waves, 500,000 fans, record prize money and a superior field of world-class surfers, the U.S. Open of Surfing presented by Hurley, Nike 6.0 and Converse sets the bar even higher with an Association of Surfing Professionals’ “Prime” rating in 2010.

The world’s largest professional surfing competition begins its nine-day run on Saturday at the Huntington Beach pier and continues through August 8, according to a press release from the event.

With a rich history dating back to 1959, the massive event boasts North America’s only combined ASP Men’s Prime and Women’s Six-Star-rated events and is a pivotal point on the ASP World Tour.

The $315,000 U.S. Open boasts an unmatched field of international entrants that includes the vast majority of top men and women surfers on the planet. The $225,000 Men’s Prime division has the highest purse among similar events, offers 6,500 points to the winner and features a $100,000 first place prize. Simpson, the Huntington Beach native, must defend his title against household names like Australia’s Mick Fanning and Taj Burrow, Kaua‘i’s Andy Irons, Americans C.J. Hobgood and Rob Machado, along with current world number one, South Africa’s Jordy Smith. Nine-time world champ Kelly Slater, who has entered but not confirmed attendance, may also be on hand.

The $50,500 Women’s Six-Star division is equally as impressive, boasting two world champions — Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore and Peru’s Sofia Mulanovich — 12 of the top 16 girls on the ASP World Tour, and most of the top women in the current World Rankings. Wailua’s Maila Manuel and Hanalei’s Alana Blanchard will be two of the competitors going up against other first-rate talents like ratings leader Sally Fitzgibbons, O‘ahu’s Coco Ho and California’s Courtney Conlogue for the unprecedented $20,000 first place prize.

Since its inception in 1994, the U.S. Open has carried the sports’ competitive torch on the U.S. mainland, rating six stars or higher and offering a consistent pathway for American competitors to reach the ASP’s grand prix circuit.

Twenty nine out of 32 men’s and women’s ASP World Titles have been captured by former U.S. Open champions—the list reads like a who’s who of professional surfers with Slater, Lisa Andersen, Irons, Layne Beachley, Sunny Garcia, Mulanovich and Gilmore all standing atop the winner’s podium.  Several U.S. Open champions have finished runner-up in the title race including Machado, Shane Beschen and Taj Burrow.

“I think last year was a good example of what the U.S. Open can actually be,” said three-time champ Rob Machado. “Combining waves, the world’s best surfers and that crazy crowd puts competitive surfing on a whole different level. When you’re competing at Huntington, you feel like you’re surfing in the Super Bowl.”

Long considered America’s consumer showcase for the sport of surfing, the U.S. Open also features the U.S. Open Men’s Junior Pro (a $10,000 ASP Grade-Two event) and Women’s Junior Pro (a $10,000 ASP Grade-Four event) presented by PacSun, Life Rolls on Expression Session and $20,000 Pacifico Nose Riding Invitational.

The second annual WPS All-Stars event let the public choose 10 top pro surfers from around the world to compete in the U.S. Open and features athlete “meet and greets”, in-water expression sessions and more during the festival.

The 10 who got the most votes were Dane Reynolds, Slater, Smith, Clay Marzo, Machado, Julian Wilson, Burrow, Fanning, Irons and Dusty Payne.

For more information, visit usopensurfing.com.

The U.S. Open also showcases hundreds of world-class athletes in the sports of surfing, skateboarding and BMX along with music, fashion and youth culture.

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Brodie Doyle from Coolangatta won the Open Women’s division of the Girls Surf Slam Queensland State Titles held at North Burleigh today. Brodie has now gained a wild card into next year’s Roxy Pro Trials/Darren Simondson/Surfin Snapps

COOLANGATTA’s Brodie Doyle, 17, has taken out the Queensland Girls Surf Slam Titles at North Burleigh.

The super talented natural footer from the Snapper Surfriders Club has earned a wildcard entry into next year’s Roxy Pro Trials at Snapper Rocks.

Last month Currumbin’s Corey Ziems and Burleigh’s Thomas Woods qualified for the men’s Quiksilver Pro Trials after placing first and second in the Surfing Queensland QCC series.

Current World ratings leader Jordy Smith is the first South African in more than 20 years to lead the comp and now has a decent crack at the World title. The last two South African World champs were Shaun Tomson (1977) and Martin Potter (1989).

Potz had to travel with an Irish passport during the Apartheid days of the white South African government. Together with other World champs Tom Carroll, Tom Curren and Cheyne Horan, they chose to boycott the South African leg to show their opposition to the Apartheid system.

Contest commentator GT paid homage to Nelson Mandela’s 92nd birthday and Jordy Smith was clapping the loudest.

If you’ve seen Clint Eastwood’s movie, “Invictus” based on Mandela’s use of the World Cup Rugby to bring South Africans together, you’ll appreciate the significance of the occasion.

It’s been an incredible month for South Africa hosting the Soccer World Cup, Jordy taking out J-Bay and golfer Louis Oosthuizen winning the British Open.

Jordy celebrated the occasion putting $6000 on the bar saying, “This doesn’t happen very often!” and the best way to overcome a hangover is to surf it off which he did back at the winning location of Supers at J-Bay!

Not to appear like a full blown South African fan, I was glad to watch Australia’s sporting luck turn with the green and gold including three players from the old school TSS take out the Springboks in the Tri Nations.

The next ASP WCT event, the Billabong Pro August 23 – September 3 at Teahupoo, Tahiti is less than a month away and already the numbers are being crunched for the new reduced field of 45, down to 32 after Chopes and the new streamline ASP World tour.

Come September at Trestles California a WCT event will run in three days instead of five, capitalising on a limited swell window.

Many of those on the bubble will take some comfort in Adam Melling’s run who was down in 41st place on the ratings prior to J-Bay and moved into 19th with his runner-up position to Jordy Smith.

Gold Coasters seeking a decent result at Tahiti include Luke Munro (30th), Dean Morrison (38th) and Jay Thompson (41st). Tahiti will also be a big test for Jordy Smith to retain the ratings lead as Kelly Slater who is now third will be seen as a solid threat, being a three times winner at Teahupoo.

The Alley Boardriders coached by Mark “Richo” Richardson have won the annual Sarcoma Teams challenge for a second year in a row from Burleigh, MNM, Kirra and Palmy.

It’s another feather in Richo’s coaching cap who recently stood down as president of the Alley Boardriders to hand over the reigns to Trevor Webber.

Richardson who is the current Australian Open Men’s champion and will compete in the WISA Games in October plus defending his Australian title at Port McQuarie next month and will be calling it a day from competition after this year.

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Tanner Guduaskas is grateful for his future on this year’s tour coming down to a left, albeit one of the most dangerous lefts in the world. Photo courtesy ASP/Scholtz

Whether you’re ready or not only one event remains until the historic chopping of the 2010 ASP World Title Race’s Top 45. Following the Billabong Pro Tahiti, which runs August 23-September 8, the first phase of the revamped World Tour (now being called the World Title Race) will be instituted: The top 32 surfers following Teahupoo will remain on tour for the second half of the season while the rest are sent packing (if there’s a tie at 32 they will use who placed higher in an event this year and then onto last year’s final rankings, if need be).

The ultimate goal in this is to streamline the rankings system, inevitably doing away with the WCT and WQS all together. From now on there will be the ASP World Title Race (previously the WCT) and there will be the One World Rankings System. This will allow for the bottom rung of the Top 32 to be replaced throughout the year, giving top performing surfers in PRIMEs, six-stars, and beyond an opportunity to shine—sort of like getting called up to the major leagues from the minors during the season in baseball.

Matt Wilkinson’s equal 9th at J-Bay put him in a much better spot to avoid the chop. But the rookie has still gotta put up a decent result in Tahiti. Photo courtesy ASP/Robertson

The multiple call ups next year keep those being chopped off midway this year hopeful that it isn’t the end of their careers on tour. Someone like Tanner Gudauskas (sitting tied for 33rd) knows it is just the beginning: “This year seems to be a transition year. Personally I think the sport should be expanding instead of contracting. It seems more popular and fun to be a part of now more than ever, so when they are ‘trimming off the fat’ of the tour it seems hard to digest. But you can’t keep a good man down, so whatever happens after Teahupoo its all pistons firing.”

Here’s the current rankings and points scenarios.

Theoretically speaking, anyone with 12,000 points or more will be one of the Top 32 to continue the season. The bottom two surfers of the Top 45, Marco Polo and Blake Thornton, sit with 2,000 points apiece. If one of them were to win in Tahiti (that’s a big if) they’d end up with 12,000 points. Ultimately meaning anyone above that total would still be on.

Dean Morrison has been a fixture on tour for years and will have to put these skills to good use to stay on for the second half. Photo courtesy ASP/Scholtz

That also means that no one is mathematically unable to make the cut either. If Marco or Blake were to win there would be a slew of surfers well below 12,000 that would be chopped, meaning both Marco and Blake have a shot at staying on for the second half. Does it seem likely? No, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.

Tom Whitaker is one of the most underrated guys on tour. Now back my claim up Tom by stepping it up in Tahiti and making the cut! Photo courtesy ASP/Cestari

Currently, Kieren Perrow sitting at equal 30th is the 32nd ranked surfer. If the axe were to swing now names like Kekoa Bacalso, Tom Whitaker, Pat and Tanner Gudauskas, and Dean Morrison would be left scratching their heads. Coming up big in Tahiti is what a guy like Tanner knows he needs to do: “I’m looking forward to Teahupoo—whatever it throws at us this year I can’t wait to be right in the slot with all the circus in the channel.”

But there’s also the argument that not everyone has had an opportunity to adjust to life on tour yet. As Tanner points out, “I am sitting tied for 33rd and am questioning if I have had the full acclimation effect after four events. To a certain extent I feel three right pointbreaks suit regular footers better, but personally I feel like my backside surfing has really improved since the beginning of the year.”

Solid results at J-Bay by Adam Melling, Dusty Payne, Matt Wilkinson, and Brett Simpson put these rookies in much better positions to make the cut. But if they falter at Teahupoo (which is quite possible considering they’ve never surfed the contest) and receive a 33rd, there is the chance that they could be leaving Tahiti for home and not Lower Trestles.

Surfer’s rep. Kieran Perrow is currently teetering on that axe. Photo courtesy ASP/Scholtz

Needing a result to stay on tour heading to Teahupoo is not the most conducive situation for surfers who’ve never been in the contest, or those who have either. But then again, that sharp axe doesn’t match that sharp reef anywhere better in the world.

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Jordy Smith will be looking to get into the water for this third South African competition in a row he hopes to win. And O’Neill CWC Scotland winner, Royden Bryson and the 2010 CWC Tasmania winner Stuart Kennedy battle to take the Series ratings lead to get closer to that $50,000 prize money.

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O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa Kicks Off in Clean Conditions

It was essentially only the 12-degree water, which reminded the competitors that they were at an O’Neill Cold Water Classic event here on the Cape Peninsula.

The first day of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa saw the Round of 80 as well as Heat 1 in the round of 64 completed at Noorhoek beach just North of the competition’s base at Kommetjie on the Cape Peninsula.

“There’s not many events in the world now where you can take a few gazebos and have a choice of about 10 different world-class waves,” said O’Neill South Africa Marketing manager Paul Canning.

“The event last year was awesome,” said Paul. “We had a great last day at Kalk Bay and we’ve started off in the same way this year with a perfect first day at the Dunes. It’s such a scenic spot to run an event.”

Whilst local talent, Ian Armstrong was knocked out in the first round, brothers Haydn and Devan MacNicol stormed through top of their heats. As did fellow South African Shaun Joubert - straight off his wildcard entry at J-Bay - in the first and only heat surfed today in the round of 64, giving the local crowd reason to celebrate.

“The world cup was unbelievable here and it really unified the whole country,” said Paul. “Everyone is still in that celebration mode, so this event still has a lot of that enthusiasm and positivity around it.”

Whilst conditions were atypical of this 5-event CWC series, according to local foreer Spike at wavescape.co.za, this is only the ning. “Tomorrow looks like it’s picking up with 6 to 8 foot swell with bigger sets in the afternoon,” said Spike. “By Wednesday it really is a Cold Water Classic as temperatures plummet and we are looking at 10 to 12 foot surf in strong SSE winds.”

Tomorrow not only brings the swell but it also brings the drama as current ASP World No. 1, Jordy Smith will be looking to get into the water for this third South African competition in a row he hopes to win. And O’Neill CWC Scotland winner, Royden Bryson and the 2010 CWC Tasmania winner Stuart Kennedy battle to take the Series ratings lead to get closer to that $50,000 prize money.

ASP World Tour

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