COMPETITION INTENSIFIES AS WORLD TOUR SURFERS TAKE TO THE WATER AT THE O’NEILL COLD WATER CLASSIC CALIFORNIA THE MOST NORTHERN, THE MOST SOUTHERN, THE WILDEST, THE COLDEST & THE MOST CLASSIC SURF CONTEST ON THE PLANET Santa Cruz, California, November 3, 2009 The swell might have dropped slightly, but the competition definitely stepped up on this second day of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic California. With five ASP World Tour surfers in the water today it was always going to be a day of surfing not to be missed. World number three Adriano De Souza came top of his heat – the first in the round of 96 - when the event started in the Californian sunshine. “It’s important for me to compete in the California events because I’m living here,” Adriano said. Talking about his current standing in the world rankings he said: “I didn’t set a goal of being in third or winning a title this year, but I just wanted to do better this year than I did last year. It’s great though.” Timmy Reyes had the heat of the day, finishing with a 9.33 and an 8.50, and making it look both easy and fun at Steamer Lane. “I knew where to sit out here,” said Timmy. “I’ve been back and forth here my entire life. It makes it easy when you come to place that you really like. I feel really good here.” “It’s tricky out there,” he said. “You have kelp and three different waves which you have to know how to surf completely differently. It makes it interesting.” Nathaniel Curran – another World Tour Surfer at this 6 Star Prime ASP WQS event – was enthusiastic to be part of the Cold Water Classic California. “I love coming to this event,” said Nathanial. “I’ve been coming here since I was 10, watching my brothers surf as well as seeing people like Tom Curren.” “I got second here a few years back so I would love to win here this time,...