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 .