History
Held at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, the O'Neill Cold Water Classic has been Northern California's premier professional surfing event since 1987. “The Lane” has become known as one of the world's greatest spectator venues for a surf contest thanks to its perfect natural architecture. With steep, vertical cliffs overlooking the fabled right point break, "The Lane" resembles an ancient Roman coliseum when thousands of onlookers line the cliff railing to watch top surfers compete.
O'Neill Cold Water Classic Past Champs
Year Event Name Purse Winner:
| Year |
Event Name |
Prize Purse |
Winner |
| *1985/86 |
PSAA |
$??? |
Anthony Ruffo |
| 1987 |
O’Neill Coors Cold Water Classic |
$33,000 |
Ritchie Collins (Newport Beach, CA) |
| 1989 |
O'Neill Pepsi Cold Water Classic |
$80,000 |
Martin Potter (Durban, South Africa) |
| 1990 |
O'Neill Pepsi Cold Water Classic |
$110,000 |
Tom Curran (Santa Barbara, CA) |
| 1992 |
Bud Surf Tour |
$20,000 |
Todd Miller (Newport Beach, CA) |
| 1993 |
Billabong |
$20,000 |
Taylor Knox (Carlsbad, CA) |
| 1997 |
Billabong |
$40,000 |
Peter Mel (Santa Cruz, CA) |
| 1998 |
Billabong |
$40,000 |
Chris Gallagher (Santa Cruz, CA) |
| 1999 |
O'Neill Cold Water Classic |
$40,000 |
Chris Gallagher (Santa Cruz, CA) |
| 2000 |
O'Neill Cold Water Classic |
$60,000 |
Joel Parkinson (Gold Coast, Australia) |
| 2001 |
O'Neill Cold Water Classic |
$40,000 |
Roy Powers (Oahu, HI) |
| 2002 |
O'Neill Cold Water Classic |
$10,000 |
Adam Replogle (Santa Cruz, CA) |
| 2003 |
O'Neill Cold Water Classic |
$25,000 |
Kieran Horn (Santa Cruz, CA) |
| 2004 |
O'Neill Cold Water Classic
|
$25,000 |
Event Cancelled |
|
