O’Neill Cold Water Classic Highlights

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

O’Neill Coldwater Classic – Quarterfinal Results:

Heat 1: Kilian Garland (USA) 11.93, Brogie Panesi (USA) 9.86, Alejandro Moreda (PRI) 9.70, Nathan Yeomans (USA) 8.17
Heat 2: Derek Peters (USA) 12.67, Rafael Teixeira (BRA) 11.77, Jake Halstead (USA) 10.67, Victor Done (USA) 4.36
Heat 3: Randy Bonds (USA) 15.93, Keoni Yan (HAW) 9.16, Bud Freitas (USA) 9.03, Jake Davis (USA) 8.70
Heat 4: Tyler Morris (USA) 13.10, Chris Waring (USA) 11.60, Dylan Southworth (MEX) 10.17, Tim Reyes (USA) 4.67

O’Neill Coldwater Classic – Round 3 Results:

Heat 1: Alejandro Moreda (PRI) 10.94, Victor Done (USA) 10.00, Jack Boyes (USA) 9.20, Matt Passaquindici (USA) 6.80

Heat 2: Kilian Garland (USA) 14.74, Rafael Teixeira (BRA) 13.57, Leandro Usuna (ARG) 11.16, Travis Beckmann (HAW) 9.73
Heat 3: Jake Halstead (USA) 13.37, Nathan Yeomans (USA) 9.30, Dylan Goodale (HAW) 9.00, Albee Layer (HAW) 8.27
Heat 4: Derek Peters (USA) 16.67, Brogie Panesi (USA) 12.70, Shaun Burns (USA) 9.70, Kairi Noro (JPN) 9.67
Heat 5: Bud Freitas (USA) 11.04, Tyler Morris (USA) 9.04, Josh Benjoya (USA) 6.36, Tomas King (CRI) 6.27
Heat 6: Keoni Yan (HAW) 14.50, Tim Reyes (USA) 13.77, Matt Pagan (USA) 11.60, Kevin Sullivan (HAW) 10.37
Heat 7: Chris Waring (USA) 13.16, Jake Davis (USA) 12.34, Micky Clarke (USA) 9.67, Kevin Schulz (USA) 5.17
Heat 8: Dylan Southworth (MEX) 12.27, Randy Bonds (USA) 8.04, Cory Arrambide (USA) 7.67, Remy Juboori (USA) 4.20

London Surf Film Festival

London Surf / Film Festival presented by Reef kicked off this over the weekend, bringing to the UK a celebration of the cream of international surf culture and the best of British, showcasing the hottest surf films from around the globe  – a line up to inspire, enlighten and entertain. 

Hosted across two iconic cinematic venues, the film festival continues this weekend at Regents St. Cinema and includes Q&A’s and talks with waveriding’s most inspiring heroes and icons such as XXL Winning female surfer Paige Alms and renowned surf explorer Kepa Acero, workshops, a gallery show, music, art, artisans and more! This saline hit of inspiration is an essential cultural happening.

See the full line up and links to trailers below.

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LONDON SURF / FILM FESTIVAL //16-24 OCTOBER 2015
23-24 OCTOBER Regent Street Cinema, W1.

Image: @Chrisburkard // Faroes European Premiere LS/FF  Friday 16 October 

There are also a limited number of night passes available for Friday at £22 to give you more film for your buck as well as some exclusive goodies.
All tickets are available via the Regent Street Cinema box office HERE 

Friday 23rd October – REGENT STREET CINEMA, W1

7pm European Premiere: THE WAVE I RIDE Dir. Devyn Bisson
Female big wave charger Paige Alms takes on the biggest and most terrifying waves on the planet. This intimate film follows her journey back from a horrific injury, will she be able to charge the giant waves of her home break Jaws again.
Presented in person by Paige Alms and Director Devyn Bisson
Watch the trailer here:

9pm UK Premiere: THE SEARCH FOR FREEDOM Dir. Jon Long
This visual spectacular celebrates the sheer joy of the ride and the pure stoke of going big. Featuring pioneers from across the world of surfing, Kelly Slater, Kelia Moniz, Bruce Brown, Chris Burkard, plus skateboard and snowboard legends including Jeremy Jones, Danny Way and Yvon Chouinard, this breath taking big screen feast in not to be missed.

Watch the trailer here:

Saturday 24th October – REGENT STREET CINEMA, W1                                     

5pm European Premiere FISH: THE DOCUMENTARY Dir. Joseph Ryan
At a time when logs ruled the line-up, San Diego surfer Steve Lis came up with a design so radical it remained an underground sensation for years. With insightful contributions from the likes of Dave Rastovich, Derek Hynd, Mark Richards, Tom Curren and Rob Machado, plus awesome archive and action footage this beautifully crafted ode to revolutionary board design is a must see.

Watch the trailer here:

7pm UK Premiere: UNCHARTERED WATERS Dir. Craig Griffin
Groundbreaking and illuminating documentary tells the story of one of surfing’s most influential and enigmatic figures characters, Australian surf legend Wayne Lynch. Set against the backdrop of disaffected youth, the Vietnam war and the increasing commodification of surfing, this film lifts the curtain on Lynch’s character and motivation, while showing the massive effect he brought to the lifestyle and the influence he has had, and continues to have on our most groundbreaking surfers. Not to be missed.

KEPA ACERO Q&A and SPECIAL SCREENING.
Accompanied by KEPA ACERO: Film and Talk
Renowned surf explorer Kepa arrives hot off the plane from his latest adventure to share some exclusive new films with us and talk about his solo adventure chasing the monster swell that hit Indonesia and surfing the longest waves in the world in South America.

Watch the trailer here:

9.15pm London Premiere NIX NIC NOOLEY Dir. Toby Creegan
The year is 2879 and everyone from the world as we know it in 2015 is dead. Dead. The ocean has dried up and the only way to go surfing is by time travel. Creed McTaggart and Duncan McNicol head back in time to score waves with Ellis Ericson, Thom Pringle, Noa Deane, Jay Davies and Dion Agius. Dials the radness to 11.

Accompanied by UK Premiere THREE STONES FROM THE SUN Dir. Seb Zanella Beautifully crafted documentary allows us to hangout and share waves with the amazing Dave Rastovich, in and around his Byron Bay home.

Watch the trailer here:

Surf Snowdonia Closes Early For Season Due To Fault

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This just in from Surf Snowdonia. Closed for the rest of 2015…

The directors of Surf Snowdonia have announced today that they have been regrettably forced to close early for the winter season. The closure is effective immediately, and brings forward the facility’s planned winter closure by eight weeks.

The world’s first inland surfing facility, which generates the longest man-made waves on the planet using pioneering Wavegarden technology, opened to great acclaim on the 1st August this year. The facility has since been affected by a number of mechanical faults and has had to temporarily close on three separate occasions.

The most recent breakdown is due to a serious failure of the main drive mechanism of the wave generating machinery. Engineers from Wavegarden estimate that it will take a minimum of three months to repair.

All Surf Snowdonia’s seasonal staff have had their contacts brought to an end early, and some permanent members of the team have been made redundant.

Martin Ainscough, chairman of the Ainscough Group which owns Surf Snowdonia said:

“This is a very disappointing day for us all at Surf Snowdonia, and we know it’s especially difficult for our excellent staff and for all of the people who have booked to come surfing with us. 

“We are in the process of notifying all customers who have booked sessions and we will refund all payments. 

“During the winter closure period we will be making further investment in order to improve the surf lagoon and broaden our offer. By spring of 2016 we hope to open for our first full season with an improved offer. We also hope to re-employ many of the excellent people who have worked with us this season. 

“Surf Snowdonia was always intended as a long term investment in our group and our extra investment over the winter will prove our absolute commitment to make Surf Snowdonia a success.”

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Dingo

“When I was a kid I’d surf 18 times a week…” “I lost my sponsors, my dog died, and my missus left me…”

A WALK ON WATER

Just how awesome is surfing? Watch this…

A WALK ON WATER is a family of watermen sharing the therapeutic powers of the ocean with those in need. AWOW’s primary goal is providing relief to families of children with special needs through surf therapy. Surf therapy through guided surf instruction for special needs children. Water therapy provides relief for autism, apraxia, down’s syndrome, pdd-nos, duchenne, and more.

Want to know more, or donate?
www.awalkonwater.org

Deeper EP 2

Just how much training do you need to take a 60 footer on the head… Watch this…