San-O Daze: 10/01/2008

SC’s Colin McPhillips among top locals competing

A reborn world longboard tour is making its final stop of the 2008 season in San Clemente November 5–9 as the world’s top longboarders descend on Old Man’s at San Onofre State Beach for the Oxbow World Longboard Tour. The contest is the second stage of a two-part series sponsored by French surfwear company Oxbow; the first took place May 5–11 at Les Cavaliers in Anglet, France. Surfers will be competing for $50,000 in cash, and the tour is sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP).

“Oxbow created the world championships in 1991, but it was stopped in 2003,” said Alexandre Ponot, Oxbow’s communications director. “We’re very excited about bringing the contest back… Longboarding is such a huge part of surfing worldwide.”

San Clemente’s Colin McPhillips, regarded as one of the top longboard competitors of all time, is a three-time world champion and will be one of the favored surfers in the 48-man field, as San O is his home break. Other top longboarders expected to compete are Hawaii’s world champion Bonga Perkins, San Diego’s Taylor Jensen, as well as additional San Clemente and area longboarders such as Josh Baxter and Troy Mothershead. Legends such as Australia’s Nat Young are expected to attend, and Hawaiian waterman extraordinaire Laird Hamilton, who’s sponsored by Oxbow, might be in town for the event.

Australia’s Harley Ingleby won the first event in France, followed by France’s Antoine Delpero and Hawaii’s Perkins. McPhillips was tied for fifth, Mothershead tied for 17th.

Oxbow was founded in 1985 by surfer Fabrice Valeri. The company is based in Bordeaux, France, and is a manufacturer and distributor of surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, snowboarding and ski apparel.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, Nov. 5:
Trials and Round 1, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 6:
Round 2, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 7:
Round 3, Round of 16, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Oxbow Party at OC Tavern, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 8:
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Tandem Demonstration, 2 p.m.–3 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 9:
Finals, Noon

Source: Oxbow