| The 2009 Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic enters holding period |
| Friday, 02 October 2009 09:13 |
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Today marks the opening of the holding period for the 2009 Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic and Big Wave Paddle In. The holding period opens today and extends through December 31, 2009. Organizers will be monitoring the conditions and will give 48 hours notice when the decision to hold the event is made. As is tradition with big wave contests, the Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic follows an open holding period and traffic light system. This allows organizers to monitor surf conditions and have the flexibility to hold the event in the best possible conditions. In Oregon, these conditions occur a couple of times a year and create a massive wave, which has been called one of the best high performance big waves in the world. This is the fifth year for the Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic. The event has been held an unprecedented 4 out of 4 years, and organizers are hoping to continue the trend. “Weather is always unpredictable. I think we have been lucky for the past few years, but then again, it just shows how consistent this wave breaks up here”, said John Forse, event founder. Once thought to be a tow in only wave, the 2008 contest proved that people could paddle in at Nelscott. The paddle in will continue this year with the Liquid Militia Paddle In Exhibition, as well as an additional paddle in element. This year, the event expands with the addition of a Kingfish award, a combination of tow in and paddle in scores. 2009 Confirmed Teams: Jeff Schmucker-Josiah Schmucker Tyler Smith-Russel Smith Zach Wormhoudt-Jake Wormhoudt Kealii Mamala-Garrett McNamara Tim West-Ion Banner Peter Mel-Jamie Mitchell Ross Clarke Jones-Tom Carroll Jeff Kafka-Benji Darrow Luiz Jardini-Scott Eggers Greg Long-Twiggy Baker Mike Parsons-Brad Gerlach Jeremy Rasmussen-Tom Miller Tarik BenHammou- Abdel El Harim Jed Kelly-Tony Perez Gary Linden John Tipple Geth Noble Mike Parnel More to be announced The Nelscott Reef Tow in Classic has grown to become one of the premier big wave events in the world, attracting surfers from every continent. The event has run for four consecutive years, an almost unheard of record in big wave events. This represents a great value for the sponsors that participate in the event. We are proud to have partners that continue to support the event and invest in its future. This year, Liquid Militia, an action sports apparel company, has stepped up to sponsor the Liquid Militia Paddle In Exhibition. “It is a perfect fit for us”, said Paul “Pablo” Shulte, founder of Liquid Militia. “After competing in the first Nelscott contest, we saw how well it was run and what a great event it was, and wanted to continue to stay involved”. Additional returning sponsors for 2009 are Blowsion, manufacturer of the best aftermarket parts for PWCs, Oregon Sports Authority, dedicated to supporting professional sports events in Oregon, Russo Surfboards, a Lincoln City surfboard shaper, Westshore Motel, offering beachside accommodations with views of Nelscott Reef, and the Nelscott Reef Surf Shop, the best place in Lincoln City to get your surf gear. The trophies will again be supplied by the Lincoln City Glass Center. New sponsors joining the event are Surfline, the world’s most renowned surf forcasting company, Kona Brewing Company, makers of fine ales, including Longboard Lager, and Roudhouse 101, the center of Lincoln City night life. The Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic is now in its fifth year. It operates on a three-month holding period, October 1 through December 31st, and unofficially marks the opening of the North Pacific big wave season. The contest has amazingly been held each year it has operated, boasting a better record than any big wave event in history.
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