San Clemente’s Nathan Yeomans beat out some of the best surfers in the world today, taking home the win at the O’Neill Cold Water Classic contest held in Santa Cruz.

In the final heat today, Yeomans scored 15.33 points while up against Australia’s Heath Joske, who scored a heat total of 8.60.

“I can’t believe it,” Yeomans said in a press statement. “This is the biggest result of my career and I’m speechless. I’ve been winning 2-Stars for too long and it was time for a big 6-Star win. To have my name up there with all of the great surfers who have won this event over the years is amazing.”

The contest was the last in a 5-stop series held in Tasmania, Scotland, South Africa, Canada and in California. The series winner was Blake Thornton, who claimed the  $50,000 prize money despite being knocked out early in this latest competition. 

Because of it’s big purse, the contest drew in several World Tour surfers to compete, making the competition tougher, but in the end Yeomans claimed victory.

 
Yeomans was placed in the 27th position in the ASP WQS standings before this event, and this win shot him up to sit close to the top 15 - meaning he could nab a spot on the World Tour to compete against some of the best in the world. 

 
“I’m just floating right now,” Yeomans said. “This just gets me so pumped to try and get another result in Hawaii.”
 

Yeomans is known for his domination at the Newport Beach Pro, which he won for the third consecutive year in 2008.

HB’s Brett Simpson, who is also close in ranking to make it to the World Tour, got knocked out before the quarterfinals.

 During the Oakley Pro Juniors event, OC surfer Luke Davis made it to the semi-finals, but got knocked out.

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