O'Neill Cold Water Classic Tasmania

ASP 6 Star Mens WQS event
Tasmania, Australia
23 - 29 March 2009

Wilds of Tasmania ready to kick off O'Neill Cold Water Classic Series

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 16 March, 2009 : - - One
of the most highly anticipated events to hit the world surfing stage,
the O'Neill Cold Water Classic (CWC) is gathering momentum.

With five ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) events exploring
spectacular surf spots throughout remote corners of the world, the CWC
series will start in the wilds of Tasmania, Australia on March 23rd
before heading to South Africa, Scotland, Canada and Santa Cruz.

From March 23 - 29, 2009 the series will venture into the far
northwest corner of Tasmania, Australia's island state. The town of
Marrawah is Tasmania's most western settlement in an area known for its
pounding Southern Ocean surf, Aboriginal sites, extensive farmland and
isolated beaches.

Green Point beach is one of Australia's most renowned surfing
beaches, but the event remains mobile to make the most of this
coastline. This is the most Southern event within professional surfing.
As ambassador for the 6Star WQS event, newly signed O'Neill rider and
celebrated big wave rider, Mark Mathews is looking forward to this
first stop of the O'Neill Cold Water Classic Series.

"I've been exploring the Tasmanian coastline on and off for
the past seven years," he said. "It is one of the most beautiful and at
the same time, rugged coastlines in the world. I've ridden the best
wave of my life out there and also suffered the heaviest wipeout of my
life. I'm proud to be an ambassador for the event as it's one of the
most amazing surf destinations in the world."

"I think the O'Neill Cold Water Classic series is going to be
a breath of fresh air for the WQS" he said. "The rugged coastline and
large swells in Tasmania will really test all the competitors involved
and will make for a spectacular action-packed event."

CWC SCOTLAND, Thurso
On April 29 until May
6, 2009, the CWC Series then heads up to the other end of the world -
to Thurso, Scotland for the already popular 6star Prime WQS event. The
most northerly town on the British mainland, Thurso offers a wealth of
quality reef breaks for the mobile format of the contest to take full
advantage of the Scottish Highland swell. Local surfing legend, Andy
Baine as well as Sam Lamiroy, a regular visitor to Scotland's reef
breaks, will be the two ambassadors for this event.

CWC SOUTH AFRICA, Cape Town
When the CWC
Series hits South African waters for the third event on the series from
June 20-24, 2009, it will be surfing phenomenon Jordy Smith who will be
acting as ambassador for this 4 Star WQS event. "The Western Cape area
is a beautiful part of South Africa," Jordy says. "There are lots of
mountain ranges and so many different bays that offer a huge variety of
surf spots. You can also have four seasons in one day. It can go from
hot to cold so quickly."

"My favourite wave is Misty Cliffs," he
says. "It's one of the best high performance waves in the world. I'm
looking forward to having an event of this quality in South Africa."

CWC CANADA, Tofino
Vancouver Island has
been confirmed for the Canadian stop of the series from October 25 -
31, 2009. "It is one of the most incredible places you could ever hope
to hold a surfing competition," says O'Neill Global Event manager,
Bernhard Ritzer. "With the possibility of snow on the ground at that
time of year, a huge variety of options when it comes to surf and lots
of amazing wildlife we are delighted to be able to host what will be
the first ever professional ASP event in Canada in such a prime
location." This is the coldest contest in professional surfing.

Based out of the town of Tofino, the 6 Star WQS event won't
fail to impress. With a world class beachbreak set up, a staggering
diversity of wildlife from whales and sea lions to black bears and
cougars, snow on the ground during the autumn and winter months, as
well as a water temperature which drops to 8 degrees in the winter,
this really is as wild as it gets. Tofino local and international
competitive surfer, Noah Cohen is the event ambassador for Canada.

CWC CALIFORNIA, Santa Cruz
The Cold Water
Classic series culminates at the iconic Cold Water Classic event in
Santa Cruz from November 2-8, 2009. The 6 Star Prime competition at
Steamer Lane with legendary Santa Cruz local, Jason 'Ratboy' Collins as
ambassador will also see the crowning of the 2009 CWC Champion.

The Cold Water Classic Series will have its own dedicated CWC
ranking list, with $50,000 prize money for the overall series winner.
Each event will feature its own ambassador, a surfer with an intimate
and local connection to each of the areas. In addition, all events will
hold trials, providing local surfers in each location the opportunity
to qualify into the main event.

ASP International CEO, Brodie Carr believes the introduction
of the Cold Water Classic Series will have a significant and positive
impact on the WQS; "The O'Neill Cold Water Classic Series represents an
exciting and unique addition to the ASP World Tour Calendar. The
established events of Scotland and Santa Cruz are already hugely
popular with the surfers and the addition of the high rated events in
Canada, Tasmania and South Africa really broadens and supports not only
this series, but the WQS as a whole."

Ratings
Tasmania: 6-star WQS
Scotland: 6-star Prime WQS
South Africa: 6-star WQS
Canada: 6-star WQS
California: 6-star Prime WQS