OXBOW WLT – OPENING DAY 1
WEDNESDAY 5TH NOVEMBER
America awoke to new President Barack Obama this morning, and there was a bright and exciting feel to the crisp air. At San O a green and clean 2-3 feet swell rolled over the kelp beds. The trials at the Oxbow WLT final got right under way in nice conditions with a quartet of Californians advancing into the main event and local standout Brendan White styling on the nose with hang tens and classic soul arch postures. The contest set up blends in sweetly with San O’s iconic grass shacks and bamboo beach showers. It looks just right. From the get go the organisation was perfect, and the animated commentary raised the excitement in every heat. The local Californians clearly know and love their coastline intimately, and were the first to spot a pod of dolphins darting passed the peak at ‘Old Mans’. Even surf legend David Nuuhiwa charmed the event with his presence. Hawaii-California transplant Nuuhiwa took 1960s noseriding to its zenith with a grace unmatched until American Joel Tudor cat walked in the 1990s.
The sun got hot as the main event began, with the Hawaiians off to a stellar start as Kekoa Uemura, Ned Snow and Bonga Perkins advanced through heats, Ned and Bonga both with smoking 9 point plus rides. 42 year old Brazilian Amaro Matos was also shining, busting one near perfect wave score with powerful turns. Amaro is with fellow Brazilian Jeremias da Silva, a fisherman and lifeguard, always travelling on a shoestring and giving every contest his whole heart. Jeremias is also a religious man, claiming that “God is my sponsor!” The Australians are another solid force, and Jared Neal turned around a heat to defeat Amaro Matos, while WLT tour leader Harley Ingleby linked his roundhouse cutbacks with poise and control. 2007 World Champion Phil Rajzman squeezed through a tight heat against Bryce Young as the army choppers flew overhead to Camp Pendalton. But there are no losers today, because all the round one winners advance to the third round, while the losers surf in round two.
Oxbow team riders Matthew Moir, Colin McPhillips and Antoine Delpero, plus Californian Taylor Jenson, proved to be in stunning form, combining power, elegance and speed, but above all, tuning into the peaky conditions as the afternoon onshores blew away an excellent first day to the Oxbow WLT.
Sam Bleakley
About Oxbow:
A pioneer of sports fashion apparel, Oxbow was founded in 1985, offering fashionable surfwear collections for both men and women. Recognized as a major international surfwear brand, Oxbow is currently experiencing strong worldwide growth, thanks to its successful retail and wholesale strategy.
Press Contact: Alexandre Ponot
Email: aponot@oxbow.fr
Tel: (310) 741 9462 or +33 (0) 625 895 585
