LOCATION: Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz, CA

HOLDING PERIOD: October 21-26, 2008

EVENT ELEMENTS:

Men’s
Rating: World Qualifying Series (WQS) Men’s 4 Star
Prize Purse: $80,000 prize purse
Field of competition:160

Junior’s
Rating: World Pro Junior Series Grade 3
Prize Purse: $15,000
Field of competition: 48

Local Trials
Rating: WQS
Prize Purse: NA
Field of competition: 16

Past Champions Heat
Rating: Exhibition
Prize Purse: NA
Field of competition: TBD

The O’Neill Cold Water Classic has been Northern California’s premiere professional surfing event since it’s inception in 1987. The cold water and rugged conditions at Steamer Lane have become a right of passage for aspiring surfers as they set their skills against the elements and a field of world-class surf stars. The arena like setting is sure to play host to amazing showdowns for final event of the 2008 Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series. And if you can’t make it to the beach watch it LIVE with play-by-play commentary and guest appearances and interviews with top surfers and industry personalities.

Should Mother Nature not provide suitable waves for competition at Steamer Lane, the event will go mobile utilizing the California State Park Beach of Waddell Creek, located just 20 minutes north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1. For more on Waddell Creek http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=863

Watch the O’Neill Cold Water Classic as part of the Macy’s CA Trifecta Surf Series on FUEL TV’s Weekly Update presented by Boost Mobile. For additional dates and specific times visit www.fuel.tv.

MACY’S CALIFORNIA TRIFECTA SURF SERIES:
Steamer Lane will set the stage for the final event of the 2008 Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series. The Trifecta, which unites the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, the Oakley NB Pro, and the O’Neill Cold Water Classic under a common banner, offers a $33,333 prize purse to any professional male surfer who manages to place first in all three events a $10,000 cash prize to the overall points-winner, $3,500 for second, and $1,500 to third if no single surfer wins all three contests. Juniors will be vying for an overall points-bonus of $3,500 for first, $1,500 for second, and $500 for third.

MEN’S ASP NORTH AMERICA WQS 4 STAR:
The O’Neill Cold Water Classic is an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) Men’s 4 Star, and the final professional surfing event on the mainland USA that can provide competitors with valuable points leading into the Hawaiian season. This pivotal event will also crown champions for both ASP North America and the Macy’s CA Trifecta Surf Series. Men’s competition starts at 7:30 am Tuesday, October 21, 2007.

ASP NORTH AMERICA CHAMPIONSHIPS JUNIOR PRO GRADE 3:
The Oakley Pro Junior is Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Junior Pro Grade 3 event and the final event on the 11-event tour serving as the ASP North America Junior Championships. The Oakley Pro Junior Championships offers domestic competitors a final opportunity to earn points toward the year end point standings that will determine the 4 final seeding berths from ASP North America into the Billabong World Junior Championships. The Oakley Pro Junior aligns the top-rated international junior competitors against the top-rated ASP North American juniors. The small field and competitive draw demands each surfer perform at the top of their ability. Junior’s competition starts Friday, October 12, 2008. Click here for more on the Oakley Pro Junior.

LOCAL TRIALS:
Top local surfers will have the opportunity to compete in a trials round with the hopes of securing a berth into the event. A field of 16 will compete for one of four coveted slots into the WQS Men's round of 160. The Local's Trial round is sure to be exciting with the incredible amount of surfing talent and passionate fans in Santa Cruz.

PAST CHAMPIONS HEAT:
Weather and swell permitting, past Men’s WQS Cold Water Classic champions will get the Lane to themselves for an exhibition heat for a years worth of bragging rights.

NOCTURNAL EVENTS:
Complementing the action in the water is the action at night. The official Coors and Fosters party schedule is coming soon!