O'Neill Raw Courage Awards

Huge Swell in the Cape ensures O'Neill Raw Courage Awards Come Down To the Wire

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 13 May, 2008 : - - O'Neill's Raw Courage Awards are drawing to an end but just as Neptune's gates of rolling thunder close, Dungeons spits out some new insane entries. The big swell forecast for last week materialized with monstrous waves pounding the Cape's big wave spots. O'Neill has received a flood of new entries ahead of the closing date on May 20.
 
"The competition is really coming down to the wire with all the last minute entries coming flooding in from the first big swell of the winter, which has been battering the Cape shores over the last week. It is really exciting to see the response, the involvement, the amount of entries and the phenomenal support we have had for this unique event in its first year,” commented Chris Bertish O'Neill South Africa Brand Manager.
 
The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday 25th May from 3:30pm onwards just off Long Beach, in Kommetjie, in Cape Town. The event awards presentation will take place in the ocean, making the O'Neill Raw Courage Awards even more unique and part of South African Surfing History, as no other event has ever had an award ceremony in the ocean.
 
Bertish added, "Holding the awards ceremony in the water is our way of staying in touch with the core roots of the brand and the cold water elements as nature is one of the key cornerstones of the brand."
 
All the new nominations including some windy, wild tow-in waves by Jason Ribbink (Berea) and a couple of really big paddle waves by Grant "Twiggy" Baker (Durban) along with many more, from the recent Dungeons sessions can be viewed on the website www.oneillsa.com or go to the direct link.
 
"At the end of the day it's about giving credit to our South African big wave chargers who are pushing the limits of the sport globally and we couldn't have had this event without them, they are the unsung heroes and we have huge respect for them and their commitment to their passion and we at O'Neill are here to help honour them for their courage," said Bertish.
 
The O'Neill Raw Courage Awards was launched to credit all South African big wave riders who are charging and pushing the boundaries of big wave surfing locally and abroad.

    * Raw Courage Award for biggest paddle wave- R25 000
    * Ultimate ride- R10 000 presented by Da Kine
    * Balls to the Wall  Award for the most committed surfer of the year- R5 000
    * Green Room Award for the biggest tube ride- R5 000 presented by Corona
    * Biggest Wave ridden wave over the twelve month period- R5 000

The after party will take place at Kommetjie’s Seven 8 Three Restaurant, after the awards ceremony to take place in the water off Sunset Reef (weather permitting).  Co-sponsors for the O’Neill Raw Courage Awards include Atoll Media, Da Kine and Corona beer.  The O'Neill Raw Courage Awards was launched to credit all South African big wave riders who are charging and pushing the boundaries of big wave surfing in South Africa and abroad.

All the new nominations, event information and closing ceremony details can be viewed on: www.oneillsa.com or directly to the Raw Courage Awards from http://www.oneillsa.com/Events/Raw-Courage-Awards.asp

About O'Neill
O’Neill, the original Californian 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 beat Mother Nature at her own game. Pioneering the world’s first neoprene wetsuit, Jack had successfully found a way to extend his surf sessions in the bone-chilling breaks of Northern California. He opened up the garage doors to his first surf shop in Santa Cruz soon after.

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 set of core values – innovation in style and technology – has seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of action sports.

From the first ever neoprene wetsuit and surf leash, to the world’s first stitchless board shorts and range of groundbreaking wearable electronics, O’Neill’s spirit of innovation will always drive the company forwards.

Today, O’Neill can be found the world over. In touch with its rich heritage and the universal stoke of board riding culture, O’Neill will always be committed to progressing that evolution and growing its reputation as one of the world’s leading youth lifestyle brands.

www.oneillsa.com
www.oneillsa.com/Events/Raw-Courage-Awards.asp 

 

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