Cold Water Classic(s)

This blog is heading overseas. To California, in fact, where I'll be checking out the O'Neill Cold Water Classic, an iconic event on the WQS which was won by a Brit in 1989 (OK, it was Martin Potter, and he's a sort-of Brit, but never mind). I'm heading over for right-hand point break perfection on Tuesday, with Harry, and broadband access being what it should be over in the States, we'll post daily on the scene in California and the action at the event.

We're flying with Virgin Atlantic, an airline which may, or may not, allow surfers to take boards. I haven't checked, but will do once there because our fiendish plan is to take advantage of low prices (relatively speaking) for boards in the US and bring some back. Here's hoping that Virgin will allow us to do this, in contrast to the wonderful British Airways, the airline that likes to say 'You're a surfer? Get lost'. Indeed, while on the subject of airlines and the costs of transporting surfboards (assuming they'll let you do this), check out this petition.

Meanwhile, noteworthy news includes the signing, by O'Neill, of Mark Matthews, who's pictured here on the kind of wave that Harry and I won't be surfing in California this week. Note also that O'Neill will be running, from next year, a series of 'Cold Water Classic' events in Tasmania, Scotland, South Africa, Canada and the US, places where the surf is as cold as it is perfect and where the surfing community is as hardcore as it gets. Personally, I think there's a book to be written about surfing in such extreme locales. But then I would say that, wouldn't I?

Comments

[Dave Patterson]

Have fun in Cali. We were over there a couple of years ago on honeymoon. Stopped off at the lane to see if there was a wave. Got more cool shots in half an hour than I got the rest of the trip. http://tinyurl.com/6m27np

[Demi Taylor]

Hey Alex,

Funny you say that, there is one being written...

www.coldwatersouls.com

Enjoy California!

Cheers,

Demi