Today had mixed results for Orange County surfers at the O’Neill Cold Water Classic event being held in Santa Cruz.
The contest - which has been put on hold for the WQS surfers for the past few days - started off early with Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson advancing after posting a 12.60. In the same heat, fellow Surf City local Brad Ettinger came in third, only able to pull off a 9.24.
Huntington’s Micah Byrne also couldn’t pull it off, coming in last during his heat after getting a score of 9.60. Tim Reyes came in last during his heat, posting a 7.0.
It’s not over for Orange County surfers - Huntington Beach’s Shaun Ward will be up early when the contest resumes, which is looking good for tomorrow morning.
Simpson will follow shortly after, competing in heat 9 in the round of 48. Already at the top of the rankings for the WQS surfers, a good showing here could help solidify his placing on the World Tour.
Here’s what forecaster Mark Sponsler of stormsurf.com is calling for the rest of the contest:
He is predicting increasing swell with solid contestable conditions throughout the remainder of the contest window this Sunday.
Forecast Overview:
On Saturday (11/7) things to get quite interesting with the arrival of the new Gulf swell. At the buoy swell of 12-14 ft @ 17 secs is expected with seas 17 ft @ 17 secs. But much less swell will make the wrap into the Lane with surf 4-6 ft overhead on the sets with maybe a few larger ones sneaking in. Wind to be light north at 5 kts early and holding till about 10 AM with glassy conditions though a distinct lump will be running through the swell. Then winds to start coming up from the northwest at 12-15 kts in the afternoon and sideshore modest chop expected outside of the point. Again a 3.5 ft tide early to actually favor the more sizeable swell coming up to 5.5 ft at 1 PM, swamping it a little but not nearly as bad as previous days, then dropping after that to 1.5 ft near sunset.
On Sunday (11/8) still solid swell from the Gulf gale is expected at 9-10 ft @ 15-16 secs early and seas to 13 ft @ 15 secs. This should result in surf of double overhead and maybe a few bigger ones with the lesser period allowing for a more effective wrap into the Lane. Winds again north at 5 kts early with a lurp running through the swell due to being generated relatively locally. Wind turning northwest near noon but not as strong as the day before, at only 10-12 kts or so adding a bit of texture and maybe light chop outside the point. Same basic tide set-up is expected with a 3.5 ft tide at sunrise slowly working up to a 5.1 ft high at 2 PM, then fading from there.
For all of the LIVE action log on to www.oneill.com/cwc/california. For additional Oakley Pro Junior action check out www.oakleyprojunior.com .
Q. Have you ever written a column about your favorite surf spots? I would be interested in know what you favorites are here in California.
Two of surfing’s greats died this weekend, and were remembered by the surf community along the Orange County coast.
