Photo: Prefontaine
Nat Young’s successful rookie year on the World Tour brought about a shared sense of pride and camaraderie within the lineup of Steamer Lane. His road to the big leagues was made possible by his maiden victory at the O’Neill Cold Water Classic. Then rated a 6-Star WQS, the win catapulted him, at the age of 17, from a potential Californian hopeful to a full-fledged competitor at an international level. With each lethal backhand snap, he punctuated the legitimacy of Santa Cruz surfing and brought forth the refreshing image of a tenacious teen who hadn’t succumbed to the thriving local drug culture. He emerged from the frigid water a role model and found himself amongst the World Tour Alumni of Adam Replogle and Chris Gallagher. This event for many Californian pros is a chance to obtain crucial rating points as the season heads to the unpredictable nature of the North Shore of Oahu.
The contemporary prestige of The Cold Water Classic perhaps reached its pinnacle in 2012. Roaring out of the depths like a sluggish middle peak bomb, it became a pivotal decider in the World title race. Kelly Slater was unable to capitalize on the American setting, forcing a dramatic Pipeline showdown. Taj Burrow would capture his second win of the season as the runner-up Matt Wilkinson solidified his qualification.
So it came as a great surprise to the general surfing public when O’Neill announced that not only would the historic event not be included in the 2013 ASP season, but it would return as the most intense job interview the surfing world had ever seen. Born as a philanthropic pursuit by O’Neill’s marketing director BK who, at The Drug Awareness Pro, witnessed an epidemic of highly talented stickerless surfers on the cusp of qualifying for the world tour.
“These guys are doing this all out of their back pocket. That first round heat loss, that was next month’s rent,” said Event Announcer Ryan Simmons.
The event unfolded in dream-crushing procession. Each heat loss signified the death of a momentous season. Some would return to waiting tables and, in Quinn McCrystal’s case, scallop fishing in Nantucket. Above all, perhaps the most devastating loss was that of Lennox Head’s Stu Kennedy at the hand of Chris Waring. The young Australian exited the water in visible anguish. Kennedy has a five-week-old newborn, Waring’s wife is expecting, both are without a major sponsor. Each heat presented a Cinderella story; the most locally romanticized was that of Noi Kaulukukui. The Steamer Lane standout bested the highest rated surfer in the event–South Australian powerhouse Dion Atkinson. The vibe on West Cliff Drive died down tremendously when Wade Carmichael tore the bag out of a middle peak right to obtain the highest score of the event–a 9.43. He would advance to the finals against Hawaiian high-flyer, Torrey Meister. The Big Islander had a dream run, launching the maneuver of the event for a 9.0 and a win over “Hippie” Hank Gaskell. Wade and Torrey had met before in El Salvador, where a controversial priority call would render a rivalry of sorts.
Carmichael is an Australian Pro Junior Champion who, despite a major ASP accomplishment, didn’t receive the financial backing of the surf industry. His Hawaiian adversary is best known for his high-flying antics and happy-go-lucky attitude. The stage was set; the waves pulsed into the Wednesday afternoon. Both surfers performed admirably, exchanging mid-range scores through the entirety of the final. Yet, the picturesque autumn day and the $50k of sponsorship endorsement would be rewarded to Meister, who finds himself with a new logo to slap on his trusty Roberts. They shook hands at the sound of Torrey’s triumph, exiting the water in typical champion fashion. Meister was carried up the cliff, perhaps never to paint houses again.
Follow Torrey Meister’s success story on his blog.
