VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

For Immediate Release

PRESS CONTACTS:
Adam Wagner
Behemoth LLC
(503) 449-6558


NELSCOTT REEF GREEN LIGHT FOR MASSIVE SWELL

Swell forecast at 20’+ @ 16-18 Seconds

LINCOLN CITY, Oregon, October 30, 2010, Nelscott organizers have given the green light for the 2010 Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic. The event will run on Tuesday, November 2nd under what looks to be the biggest conditions for a Nelscott Event ever.
Conditions forecast for Tuesday are for light and variable winds, and very large surf. If the system continues to develop as expected, swell should be 21’+ at 16-18 seconds. That is quite a bit larger than previous years. The largest swell that the event has run in was 17’@17 seconds, which produced waves in the range of 30-40’+.“This swell caught my eye the second it started showing up on the charts. The wind and a competing South swell were my only concerns, and now it looks as though neither will be an issue”, said John Forse, event founder.
Forse has proven his knack for calling the contests at Nelscott Reef. On top of the fact the Nelscott Reef event is the only big wave event to have been held every year since its inception, it has been called on what turned out to be the best days of each year.
Conditions this size will be a true test for the organizers and competitors, as the 2010 contest will be the first year the event is paddle in only.
The change to paddle in coupled with the event being a part of the Big Wave World Tour has ensured that some of the top names in the industry will be present on Tuesday. To top it off, Nelscott looks to be the first big wave contest to feature women. Tuesday is set for an amazing day of surfing in huge Oregon surf.
For the latest information on the event, where to stay, etc., visit the Nelscott Reef web page at www.nelscottreef.com and www.bigwaveworldtour.com



2010 Women’s Invitees:
Maya Gabeira
Jamila Starr
Keala Kennelly
Mercedes Maidana
Savanah Shaugnessy
Sarah Gerhart

Mens Invitees:
Carlos Burle
Mark Healey
Chris Bertish
Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker
Peter Mel
Shane Desmond
Greg Long
Shane Dorian
Grant Washburn
Jamie Sterling
Anthony Tashnick
Ramon Navarro
Gabriel Villaran
Tim West
Danilo Couto
Tyler Smith
Shawn Dollar
Travis Payne
Josiah Schmucker
Chad Jackson
Steve Harnack
Rusty Long
Zach Wormhoudt
Tyler Fox

Last year: http://bigwavedave.ca/forecasts.php?page=8

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS CONTACTS:
Adam Wagner
Behemoth LLC
(503) 449-6558


Kohl Christensen Wins 2010 Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic

Perfect conditions prevail for 6th consecutive year

LINCOLN CITY, Oregon, November 2, 2010, Kohl Christensen took the win in what turned out to be the biggest conditions ever surfed at Nelscott Reef. Chris Bertish took second, and third went to Jamie Sterling.
The day started out with pretty raw conditions producing waves of 40’+. After a slight holding period in the morning, organizers decided to start the contest at ten o’clock. Faced with a gigantic beach break with no channel, it took almost an hour for the first heat to make it into the water. By the time they did make it out, they were greeted with perfect conditions.
Finalist, Rusty Long said, “I am surfed out. Conditions were spectacular all day long. Waves were doubling off the reef, a lot of them, just a great day of surfing”
John Forse, event organizer and Nelscott pioneer noted that he saw the biggest wave ever on the reef in the morning.
There was some talk in the days leading up to the event that this swell might actually be too large to paddle into. Organizers were confident that the reef could hold that large of a swell and they were right.
The swell peaked during the semi finals. Big Wave World Tour Director, Gary Linden, was out in the water all day “It was an extremely high level of intensity. The semi final heats were really mayhem”.
After an amazing day of surfing on the reef, six men made it to the finals. Kohl Christensen, Chris Bertish, Kealii Mamala, Rusty Long, Peter Mel, and Jamie Sterling battled it out for the hour finals. This is great news for their rankings in the Jim Beam Bourbon Big Wave World Tour. Jamie Sterling, the current points leader on the tour, will solidify his position. Peter Mel will move into second.
The Women’s event will be run first thing in the morning, while the swell is still pounding the Oregon Coast. Conditions look to be holding nicely for one more morning of surf.
The Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic has now successfully run six consecutive years. This was the first year as a paddle in only event, and the first to include Women.
For the latest information on the event, where to stay, etc., visit the Nelscott Reef web page at www.nelscottreef.com and www.bigwaveworldtour.com Keala Kennelly Wins 2010 Nelscott Reef Women's Exhibition



World’s First Women’s Big Wave Event a Success



LINCOLN CITY, Oregon, November 3, 2010, Keala Kennelly wins the

2010 Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic Women’s Exhibition, making the

history books and opening the door for women’s big wave surfing.

In perfect conditions on the Oregon coast, three women became

the first to surf at Nelscott Reef, during the world’s first Women’s big

wave event. Keala Kennely, Mercedes Maidana, and Savannah

Shaughnessy battled it out during a 1-hour heat. Each surfer was able

to get at least two scoring waves, making it a very even playing field.

Big Wave World Tour Director, Gary Linden suited up and got out in

the water with the women to share his knowledge of the reef and

ensure that they were able to capitalize on the one-hour heat. Keala

broke the ice by catching the first wave, followed by a nasty wipeout

by Savannah. Both girls caught several nice waves as the heat

progressed. Mercedes had a very strong finish, catching one of the

nicest waves of the day during the last set of the heat. In the end,

Keala’s scores were strong enough to take the win.

For the past five years, Nelscott Reef operated as a tow in event.

Organizers had been trying to get women involved in their contest for

several years, but there were not enough all female tow in teams to

make a heat. It was not until this year, when they made the switch to

an all paddle in event, and with the help of sponsors RedBull and the

Nelscott Reef Surf Shop, that they were able to finally put this

together.

“We have been wanting to do this for years. I am so stoked that

you three were able to make it and take part in the first ever women’s

big wave event”, said John Forse, event organizer.

The women were equally as excited and grateful. They came up to

Oregon to show world what they do and that they can compete in

conditions like this.

“Thank you Nelscott Reef for giving us the chance to surf this

amazing wave”, said Mercedes Maidana. “Thanks to all the organizers

and crew for believing in us girls and for giving us this space to show

the world what we love to do the most. We’ll see you next year for

sure, hopefully with more women and bigger waves!”

After learning that she was the first woman to ride a wave at

Nelscott, Keala replied with a surprised and excited “Really..REALLY”?

“Now that I know, it makes it that much more special”, said Keala

during the award ceremony. “I want to dedicate this to Andy Irons,

who was like a brother to me”, referring to the sudden loss of surfing

great, Andy Irons. A moment of silence was also held during the

trophy presentation for the men, led by Kealii Mamala.

The Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic has now successfully run six

consecutive years. This was the first year as a paddle in only event,

and the first to include women. The women’s exhibition closes out a

perfect contest under absolutely unreal conditions and opens the door

for future womens events. The RedBull team was on hand taking

video and photos of the event, which will be available on the web

shortly. For detailed results, photos, and additional information on the

event, visit the Nelscott Reef web page at www.nelscottreef.com and

www.bigwaveworldtour.com



About Behemoth LLC.

Behemoth was started in 2005 for the purpose of promoting surf events at Nelscott Reef and other surf

locations around the world. Founding member, John Forse, was the pioneer at Nelscott Reef and made his

first attempt to ride the reef in 1995. Forse, along with Jim Kusz, safety coordinator for North Lincoln Fire

and Rescue and veteran water rescue team leader, and Adam Wagner of Action Sports Northwest, operate

Behemoth LLC out of Lincoln City, Oregon. Behemoth LLC organized and promoted the first annual

Nelscott Reef Tow In Classic, bringing the sport of surfing to the professional level in Oregon for the first

time.