RAFAEL TEIXEIRA STEAMROLLS FINAL TO WIN O’NEILL COLDWATER CLASSIC
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Oct. 18, 2015 – The 2015 O’Neill Coldwater Classic, stop #30 on the World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Qualification Series (QS), belongs to the event’s lone Brazilian competitor Rafael Teixeira (BRA). His first time at Steamer Lane is one he will never forget, earning his inaugural QS win over a stacked field of international competitors, taking home $8,000 USD and 1,500 rankings points.
Leaving nothing in the tank, Teixeira cracked a 9.00 on his opening ride, but struggled to back it up until finally acquiring a 7.10 to seal the win in a huge way – comboing third and fourth place.
“I’m really, really stoked – this is the best day of my life,” Teixeira said. “This is my first QS win and I just thank God, my family and friends, and just everyone who supported me both here and at home. I’ve loved my first time here and to win, I just don’t know the words for this moment. It was great dropping those two good waves and I just wanted to try my best in the final so this is incredible.”
The 22-year-old has no major sponsor, a reason that the O’Neill Coldwater Classic is such an important event for surfers like Teixeira who are looking for support. Heading back to his home country tonight for the upcoming QS6000 in Florianopolis, the Brazilian kept advancing through each round, winning his Semifinal over Derek Peters (USA) and besting the Californian once more in the Final.
“I don’t even know what was going on, I was just feeling really good this whole event,” Teixeira said. “I love my backhand surfing and this right has been so fun. When waves came, I wanted to give it my all and earn some good scores off my turns. I’m excited to return home, but to win here has been amazing after training so hard for this contest. My mom and grandma support me a lot, and with that support I can travel and now just want to do well for my family going forward.”
Earning runner-up after an incredible campaign at Steamer Lane, including the highest heat total of the event with a 16.67 during Round 3 earlier this morning, Derek Peters (USA) went toe-to-toe with Teixeira in three different heats. Despite not getting the best of the Brazilian when it mattered most, the Huntington Beach local was all smiles after his best efforts to track down first place.
“It was a really fun event and I’m definitely feeling good,” Peters said. “I didn’t want to go to Brazil early and miss this event. I’ve always watched as a kid, grew up competing here, and just love this place – thrilled to have come up and made second. I knew he had the 9.00 ride, but there’s been countless times when guys get big scores and don’t back them up, so I knew there was still a chance. I got that 7.00 under priority, but then he used his priority wisely for his back-up score, I didn’t get another chance after that.”
Like Teixeira and a number of fellow competitors still on site at Santa Cruz, Peters will be heading to Florianopolis for the next stop on the QS in hopes of breaking into the Top 100 – and now has plenty of momentum to do so.
“The waves here were really fun, I was up here all week getting prepared,” Peters said. “There were some good size waves before the contest window, early in the week, so I knew the board I wanted to ride and I was ready. It’s a bit of a pinch for time, but hopefully I can make it down to Brazil in time for my heat Tuesday.”
Peters currently sits at no.122 with a runner-up finish here and will need to continue his incredible form into Brazil in order to clinch a full time position in next year’s crucial QS10000 events.
Representing Santa Cruz in phenomenal fashion all the way into the Final, Randy “The Kid” Bonds put up a fight in each heat starting with Round 1. Posting a massive 15.93 in the Quarterfinals and advancing behind Chris Waring (USA) in the Semifinals, Bonds looked ready to take this event by storm with a lot of noise behind him, competing as the event wildcard.
“The Quarters definitely felt better than the heat before, since it was such a nail biter, so it felt good to get a couple waves,” Bonds said. “My body felt better and didn’t have too many jitters – the waves just kept coming to me so that really helped as well.”
Bonds had the full backing of his community on the cliffs of Steamer Lane and couldn’t be more thankful for them. Though his drive overtakes other senses, “The Kid” knew they were there.
“I kind of get tunnel vision out there and don’t really hear anything, it’s pretty weird,” Bonds said. “I barely hear the scores and time, but to get all the support I did was amazing. I owe everything to my friends and family that came out every day – it’s a little bit of pressure, but it’s worth it when you do well.”
Wrapping up his stellar campaign with a respectable fourth-place finish, former runner-up Chris Waring (USA) had a disappointing finish. However, the 28-year-old looked in fine form throughout, as he charged his way from Round 1 all the way to the Final – including a buzzer beater heat win in the Semifinals to clinch a spot in the Final.
“I was already preparing myself for the Semifinal loss knowing I needed a small score and the ocean just went completely flat,” Waring said. “I was so nervous on that wave needing a tiny score and just tried to stay over my board – the wave ended up being pretty good, so it was hard to not really try and surf it. I lucked out so hard, I was totally shocked to advance into the Final.”
“I just wanted to figure it out when I got in the water for the Final,” Waring added about the final heat. “The waves were pretty tricky so it was really just a lot of adjusting and a little bit of luck. I would’ve liked to get a good rhythm going with a great Final on hand, but they’re all so talented and I couldn’t get things moving in that heat.”
Special thanks to title sponsor O’Neill as well as co-sponsors and event partners Red Bull, Futures Fins, Watermans Sunscreen, Banzai Bowls, SURFER Magazine, Surfline, Hotel Paradox, Cruzio Internet and East Side Eatery for supporting the 2015 O’Neill Coldwater Classic.
O’Neill Coldwater Classic – Final Results:
1st – Rafael Teixeira (BRA) 16.10, $8,000.00USD
2nd – Derek Peters (USA) 13.90, $4,000.00USD
3rd – Randy Bonds (USA) 5.97, $2,400.00USD
4th – Chris Waring (USA) 4.00, $2,200.00USD
O’Neill Coldwater Classic – Semifinal Results:
Heat 1: Rafael Teixeira (BRA) 14.24, Derek Peters (USA) 13.26, Kilian Garland (USA) 9.04, Brogie Panesi (USA) 9.00
Heat 2: Chris Waring (USA) 12.37, Randy Bonds (USA) 12.00, Tyler Morris (USA) 7.97, Keoni Yan (HAW) 7.60
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More than 2,000 spectators turned out on Saturday 19th September to see the world’s first ever stadium-style surfing event, Red Bull Unleashed.
It was a surprisingly scorching afternoon in North Wales as the final eight riders went head-to-head at Surf Snowdonia’s artificial wave pool. In the end it was crowd favourite Albee Layer (HAW) who became the first ever Red Bull Unleashed champion, after a string of spectacular displays carried him to victory over the plucky Billy Stairmand (NZL).
The competition was able to bring the crowd closer to the action than has ever been seen before, paving the way for a new era in competitive surfing. The athletes and spectators revelled in the unique man-on-man duel concept, which saw pairs of surfers go head to head, wave for wave, in a best of five format.
As opposed to traditional half hour heats, there are no second chances at Red Bull Unleashed, every wave counts. Surfing heavyweight Jordy Smith (RSA) who was amongst the spectators said, “It’s cool, you both have an equal opportunity, and there’s no two ways about it, the best surfer always wins. You can’t afford to fall so you really have to walk the fine line between pushing it to the limit and pushing it too far.”
The unique stadium environment meant that the audience was less than ten feet away from the action. “The crowd’s right above you, as close as you can possibly get to someone on a wave,” said Smith, “some guys thrive off it, others don’t. It’s an arena for those who can feed off the energy of the crowd.”
Layer was consistently in charge of his competitors, picking up on the nuances of the tricky waves early on and mixing up his manoeuvres to keep the crowd and judges entertained. His musical selections were as sharp as his surfing, and it was clear from the early rounds that Layer was the man to beat.
Sprayed with champagne on the podium, Layer, who notoriously does not compete, couldn’t help but beam with pride. “I didn’t know what to expect coming here,” said the Maui local, “but it’s been incredible. Surfing so close to so many people, music
playing, heaps of energy in the air, to get the win is crazy. If more events were like this, I’d do them!”
Red Bull Unleashed Results
Final
Albee Layer (HAW) 3 def. Billy Stairmand (NZL) 1
Semi Finals
SF1. Billy Stairmand (NZL) 3 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 0 SF2. Albee Layer (HAW) 3 def. Mitch Crews (AUS) 2
Quarter Finals
QF1. Billy Stairmand (NZL) 3 def. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 1 QF2. Jack Freestone (AUS) 3 def. Kai Hing (AUS) 1
QF3. Albee Layer (HAW) 3 def. Jayce Robinson (GBR) 1 QF4. Mitch Crews (AUS) 3 def. Ian Crane (AUS) 1
Round One
H1. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 3 def. Alan Stokes (GBR) 0
H2. Billy Stairmand (NZL) 3 def. Leo Fioravanti (ITA) 1 H3. Jack Freestone (AUS) 3 def. Evan Geiselman 0
H4. Kai Hing (AUS) 3 def. Kalani David (HAW) 0
H5. Jayce Robinson (GBR) 3 def. Hiroto Arai (JPN) 0 H6. Albee Layer (HAW) 3 def Ian Gouveia (BRA) 2
H7. Ian Crane (AUS) 3 def. Mikey Wright (AUS) 2
H8. Mitch Crews (AUS) 3 def. Reubyn Ash (GBR) 1
This year demand to enter was unprecedented, with over 150 surfers applying, which meant sadly some had to be disappointed, but the team were able to accommodate 140 competitors in the eight categories. This event is now one of the most established in the UK, occupying its early September slot, and is supported by a fantastic team of up to 100 Christian Surfers helpers from around the country, and supplemented by local church volunteers
Centred around the Parkdean car park (North end of Croyde) the first award was a memorial trophy to remember Phil Pechonis who passed away last July, it was presented this year to the Knight family, who have inspired many. Taz and Peony with their travel experiences and contest results, whilst Matt & Susannah work tirelessly behind the scenes in the surf industry, for Surfing GB, Croyde Surf Club and other events.
The keenly contested Masters division was won by Bude’s Paul Kirby, ahead of Rudi Perrins-Davies. The Women’s Ppen was very keenly competitive with a strong field battling through tough conditions to win the title and an increased amount of prize money of £250. Emily Currie surfed strongly throughout and took the title, ahead of Ellie Turner (14 years old) who was competing in three categories and surfed superbly. Local surfer and Boardmasters winner Peony Knight was third and Portsmouth Tehillah McGuiness 4th.
There was a new name on the trophy for Jesus Surf Classic 2015 men’s champion, yet another Bude resident Liam Turner. A really strong performance beating Harry de Roth, local lifeguard Jordan Reed, and Robert Webster Blythe representing South Wales in the final.
After a further 29 hotly contested heats new champions were crowned in five divisions. Some of the key winners included Emily Currie making it a double win taking the Women’s Junior (U18) title, Stanley Norman, winning yet another final in the U12’s. Launceston’s Barnaby Cox also had a fantastic event, winning both the U14, and U16 title.
The U18’s final final saw Max Payne ripping to bits the slightly ragged cross offshore 3ft waves taking the title ahead of Will Bailey who landed a big air just 30 seconds after the final hooter was sounded.
All in all a hugely enjoyable weekend, 62 heats run, over £2000 of prize money given out, and competitors and supporters well fed with fresh Pizza, Crepe, fresh cakes and of course the BBQ.
A huge thanks to RNLI, Parkdene, Christian Surfers, Hotdoggers for use of the judging vehicle, Christian Skaters, St John Ambulance, and so many of the local community and church members for supporting this event, and of course God for providing waves, sunshine and keeping everyone safe.
The Jesus Longboard Classic is on October 17th & 18th. Entries will soon be open via www.christiansurfers.co.uk/register
GROMS ( U12 )
1. Stanley Norman
2. Thomas Reeves
3. Sam Hearn
4. Austin Brocklesby
YOUTH ( U14 )
1. Barnaby Cox
2. Noah Capps
3. Leo Reeves
4. Max Hudson
Cadets (U16)
1. Barnaby Cox
2. Kit Innes
3. Stanley Norman
4. Liam Murray-Strout
Masters( Over 35 )
1. Paul Kirby
2. Rudi Perrins-Davies
3. Charley Charlesworth
4. Lee Parkins
Boardmasters2015 and World Surf League (WSL) have confirmed its initial competitor line up for the Boardmasters International Surf Competition including WSL Longboard ProMen’s and Women’s LQS1,000 event taking place at one of the UK’s most stunning locations, Fistral Beach, Cornwall from Wednesday 5 – Sunday 9 August.
Known for being a truly international competition, Boardmasters will not disappoint its surf fans this year as the worlds first-class athletes are confirmed to compete. For the five days of Boardmasters, Fistral Beach will be transformed into a surfing mecca as record numbers of fans, family and friends come to watch all the sporting action unfold.
This year’s categories include the newly added WSL LQS1000 Men’s Longboard and WSL Women’s Longboardpresented by Surfgirl, the Men’s Openpresented by Carve, Rocket DogWomen’s Open, Pro Junior (Boy’s U18) and new comp Pro Junior (Girl’s U18) as well as the much-loved Whippersnappers U12 (mixed) event.
For the past few years, local Longboarding legend Ben Skinner has dominated the top spot in the men’s competition and as Boardmasters with the WSL prepare to host this year’s event, Skinner has confirmed he will be returning to defend his title. However, he’ll have stiff competition from Devon local Jack Unworth and French riders Eduard Delpero, Charles Dorange and Heiko Bertschinger.
This year, Boardmasters will also shine a light for the first time in its history on women’s longboarding with WSL hosting a ladies competition, presented by Surfgirl alongside the men’s. Cornwall’s own Ashleigh Bennetts, Emily Currie and Katrina Beddoe are all confirmed to show off their agility, strength and poise in the water in what is looking set to be an exciting new category.
Boardmasters is thrilled to welcome back current champion, Jock Barnes for the Men’s Open presented by Carve. Home favourites and visiting international stars will battle it out for the coveted Boardmasters title including the UK’s most successful surfer, Russell Winter who has just taken the #1 spot in the Night Surf. Twice UK Pro Surf Tour Champion Alan Stokes and Gold Coast ripper Noah Lane are also confirmed to compete.Jock Barnes will also be drying off and heading to the Boardmasters music site, Watergate Bay to give a special Main Stage performance!
Looking at the Rocket Dog Women’s Open category, the UK’s top female pro’s are set to give fans a thrilling battle out on the waves as Boardmasters confirms entries from current UK Pro Surf Tour Champion Lucy Campbell and top rider Hannah Harding.
Boardmasters also prides itself in providing a platform for young and rising surf stars, giving the best of the young talent a platform to compete in a renowned setting.The under 18 categories, which include the Boy’sPro Junior (Boy’s U18), new comp GirlsPro Junior (Girl’s U18) and the much-loved Whippersnappers U12 (mixed) event, will welcome rippers from all across the UK. Confirmed to defend his Boy’s pro Junior title is hot talent Angus Scotney. The Norman brothers, Stanley and Bertie Norman will also be battling it out in the Whipersnappers event. Bertie I’m sure hoping this time to beat his brother who holds the 2014 title.
Contest Director, Dave Reed, said: “This year’s Boardmasters is again growing in strength. The highlight will undoubtedly be bringing back two International WSL (formally ASP) events; the Men’s and Women’s Longboard divisions. This will give the opportunity for the best British Longboarders to compete on the International stage in the UK. The future’s bright for British surfing!”
Andrew Topham, Festival Director, said: “Every year we are blown away by the number of entries from both British and International surfers wanting to compete in Boardmasters. The surf competition has been the heart of the festival for over two decades and we’re thrilled to be able to welcome back two international World Surf League events (previously ASP) to the categories. Year on year the surf community continues to produce outstanding talent. Really looking forward to watching Ben Skinner defend his title from the likes of the Delpero brothers on the beach!”
Boardmasters Fistral Beach site is open, no ticket necessary so festivalgoers and locals are free to come down and take in all the sporting action in their own time.Don’t miss out on this chance to catch world-class surfers, BMXers and skateboarders battle it out up close and personal!
For more information on the surf competitions visit the website
The weekend of the 23 – 24 May saw the fifteenth year of the Nightsurf take place at Fistral Beach in Newquay. Despite the fog and very challenging surf conditions the event was a fantastic success.
Russ Winter took his third win at the event, previously winning in 2011 and 2012. Second place went to past English Champion Johnny Fryer who has just returned from two years out of competition due to hip surgery. Third was Mark Harris who was runner up at the English Nationals three weeks ago. Fourth Bournemouth based previous winner of this event Gordon Fontaine
In the Stable Women’s division Newquay’s Georgia Timson made the most of the conditions to take her first event win on the UK Pro Surf Tour. Second went to Bude’s future surf star Elle Turner with current UKPSA Women’s Champion Lucy Campbell taking third and Zoe Sheath coming fourth returning to completion after having a baby last year.
The Smart Parking Nightsurf also saw the first of the Adams Surfboards Pro Junior tour events with English Open Champion Jobe Harriss taking the win. Second place went to St Ives Harry DeRoth, third to Newquay’s Angus Scotney and fourth Dale Foster.
South African Jake Elkington took out the Fistral Beach Under 18 Boys division defeating Harry DeRoth, third went to Jersey Charlie Rio and fourth Angus Scotney
Possibly the surprise result of the night was in the Dritek U16 Boys with Bude’s 12 year old Stanley Norman beating Kit Innes followed by U18 Boys Champ Jake Elkington and with his best tour result to date Welsh surfer Seth Morris coming fourth.
The event was closed by an amazing firework display that impressed the jam packed beach.
The UK Pro Surf Tour would like to thank all the sponsors who helped make the event possible: Smart Parking, Korev Lager, Newquay BID, Adams Surfboards, Fistral Beach Bar, The Stable Resturant Fistral Beach Complex and Dritek.
Next event on the tour is the UK Schools Pro Am in July followed be the Boardmasters in August.
Tahitian Michel Bourez powered his way to the top of the field in pumping conditions at Sunset Beach. The Vans World Cup of Surfing is the second event in the Vans World Cup of Surfing. Catch the highlight from finals day.
