The World Surf League (WSL) North America Qualifying Series (QS) heads back for another installment of the iconic O’Neill Cold Water Classic QS 1,000. The famed venue of Steamer Lane will host men’s and women’s competition once more to provide a world-class stop on the 2023/2024 schedule. Competition will begin November 15 - 19 with a live broadcast set to bring the event, and Santa Cruz, California’s well-known surf community, around the world.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring the Cold Water Classic back again this year,” said Greg Clarke, VP of Product and Marketing for O’Neill. “The event brings our surf community together like no other, and it’s always a pleasure to watch world-class surfers put our world-class waves at The Lane to the test.”

The venue of Steamer Lane is synonymous with cold water perfection when swell pulses into the famed lineup. The wave has provided some of this event’s incredible history since 1985 including wins from the likes of three-time WSL Champion Tom Curren (USA), WSL Big Wave Champion and Santa Cruz’s own, Peter Mel (USA), World Title contender Jordy Smith (RSA), former CT elite, Santa Cruz’s Nat Young (USA), and more.

Along with Young, a plethora of Santa Cruz competitors are ready to do their best and bring the event title back home after Kolohe Andino’s (USA) victory in 2022. An incredible showing from free surf extraordinaire Ian Crane (USA) provided fireworks throughout the event until falling to Andino in the Semifinals and now returns to the famed lineup ready for more.

For the women, recent Challenger Series standout and current North America No. 3, Zoe Benedetto (USA), claimed her first West Coast QS victory in blazing fashion. 2022 marked the first women’s WSL event at Steamer Lane since before 2004 and Autumn Hays (USA), Semifinalist, looks to represent her hometown once more while pushing further into competition.

Watch LIVE:

The O’Neill Cold Water Classic will be streamed live November 15 - 19 at WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL App, and WSL Youtube channel.