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BLAKE THORNTON WINS O'NEILL COLDWATER CLASSIC SOUTH AFRICA
Aussie takes down local favorite Royden Bryson in freezing Cape Town barrels
SURF NEWS BLAKE THORNTON WINS O'NEILL COLDWATER CLASSIC SOUTH AFRICA
June 24, 2009
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CONDITIONS: Frigid but pumping offshore conditions came together on the final day with a solid six-foot swell on tap, while just the day prior, nasty storm conditions had forced a lay day. Luckily, the groomed conditions for the finals allowed the venue, Kalk Bay, to pass out some reeling lefthand barrels.
 
HIGHLIGHTS: Kalk Bay provided Cape Town with its first professional surf competition in 21 years and had hometown hero Royden Bryson taken the win, the local crew surely would've thrown a rowdy bash for the boy.
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BLAKE THORNTON WINS O'NEILL COLDWATER CLASSIC SOUTH AFRICA
"O'Neill took a risk to hold an event here in Cape Town in the middle of winter," said Royden. "There can be some pretty huge out of control storms down here." Here he is, tucked in and warm.
Blake Thorton, who ended up ousting Royden in the final, mentioned that the cold was affecting their surfing. Big, heaving surf at Cape Town in the middle of winter = gnarly. Or just way too much neoprene.

Perhaps more of a lowlight than a highlight, but it's worth noting that World Tour surfer Jordy Smith went down to Glenn Hall in the Round of 16.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS: With the two-man heat format in play, the boys of the WQS were able to surf to their full potential. Twenty four-year-old Blake nabbed a nearly perfect score of 9.6 on a round one.

QUOTES: "From the water I could hear everyone supporting me - shouting and honking their horns on the beach. I don't think I've ever had support like that in a contest. It was amazing. I wish I hadn't folded on that last wave, but what can you do? I will kick myself for about half an hour and then it will be good." - Royden Bryson

"It was a good decision to have man-on-man heats out there. There would have been too much hassling if you had four man heats." -- Jarrad Howse

"My first heat was a shocker, I just wasn't understanding the wave. I think in the next heat I was a bit more relaxed and just pulled into that wave and it worked out. I am so excited to win this. Royden fell on his wave at the end. I think maybe the cold was getting to us. I am sorry for him, but so glad I won." - Blake Thorton

O'Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa Results

Final
1. Blake Thornton (AUS) 1 500 points $12 000
2. Royden Bryson (ZAF) 1 313 Points $6 000

Semifinals (Winner to final, 2nd = 3rd place, 1 125 pts + $3 500)
SF1: Royden Bryson (ZAF) def. Glenn Hall (AUS)
SF2: Blake Thornton (AUS) def. Jarrad Howse (AUS)

Quarterfinals (Winner to semis, 2nd = 5th place, 975 pts, $2 000)
QF1: Royden Bryson (ZAF) def. Kyle Lane (ZAF)
QF2: Glen Hall (AUS) def. Damien Fahrenfort (ZAF)
QF3: Jarrad Howse def. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
QF4: Blake Thornton (AUS) def. Jean de Silva (BRA)
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