ADVERTISEMENT

O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa Kicks Off

Clean 3-4 foot waves, light winds, perfect blue sky and a spectacular mountain back all set the stage for the first day of the O'Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa 2010

Clean 3-4 foot waves, light winds, perfect blue sky and a spectacular mountain back all set the stage for the first day of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa 2010

NOORHOEK BEACH, Cape Town/South Africa

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS
A bi-monthly eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!
SUBSCRIBE NOW
HAPPENINGS
Your portal to cultural events happening in and around the surfing sphere.
Find Events
SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS
A bi-monthly eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!
SUBSCRIBE NOW
HAPPENINGS
Your portal to cultural events happening in and around the surfing sphere.
Find Events

LATEST

Ellie Harrison's dream CT debut just got a whole lot more dreamy.

Pairing Italy's famous delicacies with a healthy dose of barrels.

The formation of Goons of Doom, why you should get pissed at their gigs and what a band with Occy, Steph Gilmore, Yago Dora and Jacko Baker would sound like.

ADVERTISEMENT

PREMIUM FEATURES

Bestowing the highest praise upon a surfer.

An edited extract from ‘The Immortals of Australian Surfing’ by Phil Jarratt.

How a land-locked mainlander chased ocean dreams to the North Shore lineups and beyond.

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

CLASSIC ISSUES

A threat to Angourie, the death of vibes, and a tongue in cheek guide on how to become a surf star.

PREMIUM FILM

YEAR: 2008
STARRING: JOEL PARKINSON, MICK FANNING AND DEAN MORRISON

This is the last time the original cooly kids were captured together and features some of their best surfing.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

PRINT STORE

Unmistakable and iconic, the Tracks covers from the 70s & 80s are now ready for your walls.

Tracks
Kandui Resort Interstitial