Steamer Lane. Get Ready. Photo: O’Neill Cold Water Classic Santa Cruz/Prefontaine
The famed Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz has played host to the O’Neill Coldwater Classic for the past three decades. This year’s event will be unlike any other–a men’s specialty event for unsponsored professional surfers.
The grand prize includes a year-long sponsorship from O’Neill and $50,000 in travel incentives and contest fees. Competitors include ten invited unsponsored surfers, two wildcards, and four surfers picked by the public. Not only will one surfer claim the 2013 title, but they will gain the backing of a complete year of sponsorship support courtesy of O’Neill. A lot is on the line.
This year’s event is a unique twist on the annual tradition. Competitors are given a chance to receive a travel, event and expenses budget to compete in at least seven of the ASP World Qualifying Series events in pursuit of qualifying in the World Championship Tour. On top of that, the winner will have a personal videographer at their disposal and all the O’Neill gear they can lug around the world–making this a dream opportunity for any underdog.
O’Neill Director of Marketing Brian Kilpatrick stated to ASP, “Helping surfers who have paid their dues, chase the dream of qualifying is good for the sport.”
An amateur field of local competitors under the age of 18 will also be participating in the Ratboy Rampage. The event is held in honor of Jason “Ratboy” Collins, the king of aerials, who honed his talents in Santa Cruz. Wildcard submissions are now being accepted here through September 18th. Applicants are asked to fill out a form and submit action footage to enter the competition, which has a holding period from November 6-10.
The men’s specialty event for unsponsored professional surfers will only add to the highly anticipated Cold Water Classic. Last year, competition ended in an intense battle between Taj Burrow and Matt Wilkinson. Wilko just barely came up short leaving Burrow to raise the Jack O’Neill trophy.
To follow the action, visit www.oneill.com/cwc/
