O’Neill CWC: Day Three Highlights. 40ft Swell Imminent

Cape Town, South Africa – Jordy Smith was greeted with howling winds and the onset of one of Cape Town’s biggest storms as he got into the water on this third day of competition at the O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa.

Flying in straight from the Reunion Island, Jordy was not about to be deterred by the extreme conditions – pulling out a score of 8.5 on his first wave back in his home country.

“It is pretty wild and cold,” he said. “It’s like gale force winds out there. I got on a few waves and couldn’t even move for the wind – but there are some fun rides out there.”

The O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa ambassador is the name to look out for in this competition, but he’s not thinking too far ahead. “Right now all I’m looking forward to is getting out of this wetsuit and getting warm,” Jordy said.

“I’ve seen a few storms like the one coming in when I was younger,” he said. “You need to just hide away indoors for the day with a jacuzzi and the heating on.”

The predicted storm is now brewing, and although the turmoil has already started – it will be properly hitting these shores from tomorrow. In the latest update from local surf forecaster, Spike, he says; “We should see 40 foot sets on the outer reefs by Wednesday morning. Even for any Hawaiian big wave surfer – this is going to be big.”

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DAY 2

DAY 1

With an epic storm fast approaching, the surfers indulged in the clean, fast, heavy waves of this second day of competition at the O’Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa.

Back at Misty Cliffs, with a cleaner but similar size swell to yesterday, it was the 16 year old Hawaiian surfer John John Florence who had the crowds gathered on the cliffs above cheering loudly as he got a barrel on almost every wave he took off on.

His final ride, as he tucked into his last barrel of the day, earned him the highest wave score of the competition so far – a 9.6.

“It was good out there today,” said John John. “I was battling against Hedgy and saw this big wave come in at the end and just went for it.”

It was the final two waves of John John that nudged former World Tour surfer Nathan Hedge out of this third leg of the O’Neill Cold Water Series as the event moved into the round of 64.

“I don’t usually like when it is that close,” said John John on his battle with Nathan. “I usually get really nervous, but today it worked out ok.”

Nathan’s surprise exit as he battles through a back injury opens up the CWC Series ranking list and the chance of the $50,000 prize money that little bit more, as the Australian surfer had been sitting in fourth position following Tasmania and Scotland.