Four Finalists To Face Off For Online Votes For Wildcard Into 2014 O'Neill Coldwater Classic Invitational 9/25/2014

Santa Cruz, CA (September  25, 2014) -- Over the past several weeks, videos have poured in from surfers touting their surfing capabilities in the hopes of attaining an exclusive wildcard into the 2014 O'Neill Coldwater Classic. Four finalists have been selected from the hundreds submitted, to go on to the online public voting phase, Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, to determine who will earn the coveted ticket into the main event.

2014 Preview Video: http://www.oneill.com/cwc/?p=4240

The four finalists are:

Austin Smith Ford Age: 26 Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA		Jeison Torres Abarca Age: 26 Hometown: Jaco, Costa Rica
Leif Engstrom Age: 26 Hometown: Montauk, NY		Kadin Panesi Age: 19 Hometown: Pacifica, CA

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Specialty Event, which will take place on two days of optimal conditions during the holding period of Oct. 28 through Nov. 1, will give 16 unsponsored professional surfers the chance of a lifetime, an O'Neill Wetsuits contract worth $50,000 in travel incentives and contest fees to chase their World Championship Tour (WCT) dreams.

Watch the live broadcast, learn more and follow all of the action at www.oneill.com/cwc/ and tag #oneillcwc

Special thanks to sponsors and event partners Nexen Tire, Futures Fins, Watermans Sunscreen, Flips Audio, Banzai Bowls, On a Mission, Hotel Paradox, Cruzio Internet, East Side Eatery, Mulcoy Travel, SURFER Magazine and Surfline for supporting the 2014 O'Neill Coldwater Classic Invitational.

About O'Neill

O'Neill, the original California surf, snow and lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O'Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to battle Mother Nature. Jack's initial vision of producing functional and innovative board riding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. From the first neoprene surf wetsuit and board leash to the world's first stitchless board shorts. O'Neill will always be committed to growing its reputation as one of the world's leading youth lifestyle brands based on being the First Name in the water.

While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack's initial vision of producing functional and innovative board riding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. O'Neill's core values - innovation in style and technology - have seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of the action sports lifestyle. From the first ever neoprene wetsuit and leash, to the world's first stitchless boardshorts and range of groundbreaking wearable electronics, O'Neill's progressive spirit will always drive the company forward.

For more information, please visit www.oneill.com/wetsuits.

About SURFER

In 1960, SURFER Magazine began as the original. After a long history of delivering provocative and insightful editorial features, revealing interviews and award winning state-of-the-art photography, SURFER remains the authoritative voice of the surfing world and thus earned the moniker "the bible of the sport." The SURFER brand has also grown to include Surfermag.com, Fantasy Surfer, and the SURFER message boards. All of these assets combine to make the SURFER network the most current and reliable channel of information to the surf community. The magazine is published by TEN: The Enthusiast Network, which reaches more than 22-million active sports enthusiasts through an integrated network of magazines, online properties, events and television programming.

To learn more, visit www.surfermag.com

About TEN: The Enthusiast Network

TEN: The Enthusiast Network LLC is the world's premier network of enthusiast brands, such as Powder, BIKE, SUP, SURFER, Transworld, Canoe & Kayak and GrindTV. With more than 60 publications, 100 Web sites, the world's largest automotive VOD channel, 800 branded products, 50+ events, TV and radio programs, TEN creates and delivers content that informs, entertains, inspires and connects with enthusiasts every day.

For more information visit enthusiastnetwork.com.


Source O'Neil by press release ©