O'Neill Cold Water Classic

EASTLAND Community Trust donated $60,000 sponsorship for the O’Neill Cold Water Classic held in Gisborne between March 23 and March 29 this year.


It is a six-star event on the ASP world tour event 130 international surfers make it the best surfing competition in New Zealand in nearly 20 years.

The benefits to the region from this sort of exposure will be huge, says Gisborne Boardriders Club president, Clint Daly.

“We never thought we would get a world surfing event like this here — I hope Gisborne people relish it.”

Eastland Community Trust recognised the opportunity presented by helping Gisborne secure the O’Neill CWC says chairman Richard Brooking.

“The opportunity to bring this global competition to Gisborne and have it broadcast globally presented us with a huge marketing opportunity in terms of getting surfers, and those who like the lifestyle, to view Gisborne as a holiday destination.

“It will get to a global audience. We have a surfing tradition here that pre-dates the arrival of Captain Cook.

“It goes back to the Hawaiian Islands long before it became the global sport it is today.

“Surfing is part of the culture of the East Coast, and most of us have grown up with it. In the 1950s and ’60s it was actually seen as a disreputable pastime — which is not the case now.

Organisers in Gisborne hope to get the event here for the next three years, he says.

“Then we will see some real flow-back. The support from ECT has been crucial, and the council and Tourism Eastland have been awesome — corporate entities like O’Neill see that sort of local support for an event as really crucial.”

The events are a big financial undertaking for O’Neill, and having support from ECT helps them invest more heavily in media and marketing, says contest director Matt Wilson.

More than 250 surfers, officials and media people were in town spending on accommodation, food and leisure activities – not to mention spectators from out of town.

Images of Gisborne were broadcasted to an international audience through a live webcast and a television feature on the event.

There will be additional social benefits through the aspirational qualities the event contains for any young surfer, or even someone who doesn’t surf, says Matt.

“If Gisborne doesn’t already produce the best surfing talent in NZ, it soon will!”

Check out the video on the Gisborne leg of the O'Neill Cold Water Classic by clicking on the link http://vimeo.com/23075562