UPDATE: WQS contest is on hold Thursday; Juniors up at 1 p.m.  

From Wednesday: OC surfers are coming through strong during this week’s O’Neill Cold Water Classic and Oakley Pro Junior up in Santa Cruz.

The Cold Water Classic – a WQS 6-star prime event – kicked off on Monday with solid surf conditions, but was put on hold today. Some of the best surfers in the world – including many from Orange County – are up north for the prestigious event.

A call is made at 7:30 each morning to determine whether the WQS or Junior event will be held.

The juniors went at it today, with Newport local and one of OC’s top young surfers Andrew Doheny winning his heat with a score of 13.37.

In the first round of junior’s events, Newport’s Chase Wilson advanced with a score of 12.00, but in that same heat Taylor Thorne, of Newport, was knocked out after coming in 4th place.

Capo Beach’s Luke Davis and San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino both placed first in their heats to advance.

In the pro event, several World Tour surfers are taking on the World Qualifying Series surfers, making the competition tough.

World Tour surfer Timmy Reyes, of Huntington Beach, had a great showing Tuesday with the heat of the day, finishing with scores of 9.33 and 8.50. 

“I knew where to sit out there,” he said in a statement. “I’ve been back and forth here my entire life. It makes it easy when you come to a place that you really like. I feel really good here.”

On the first day of the event, San Clemente’s Mike Losness was knocked out. HB’s  Micah Byrne had a great showing, with a score of 11.84 in heat 4 of round 128. He competed again Tuesday and made it through with a 10.03. 

Seal Beach’s Chris Waring also came in first during his heat, scoring a 13.33.

If the pros compete on Thursday, Huntington surfers Brett Simpson and Brad Ettinger will be going up against each other early in the day. Simpson is the top point holder in North America in the WQS rankings.

HB’s Shaun Ward will be going up against some tough competition, as he goes up against Jordy Smith and three-time world champ Tom Curren.
 
The pro competitors are battling it out in 13 degree waters to see if they can nab a piece of the $145,000 in prize money. The juniors are surfing for $10,000.

See it all  live at www.oneill.com/cwc/california

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