Jamie Sterling Takes Top Honours at Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic

Big Wave World Tour Champion 2010/2011, Jamie Sterling, took top honours at the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic in Lincoln City, Oregon on Saturday, February 2nd 2013. "Stoked to win the Nelscott Reef. It feels good." Said Jamie I caught the first wave of the final which turned out to be the best wave of the event." Jamie, a previous title holder in 2010/11 is right back in the hunt for another title (2011/12's championship was a truncated season due to a shortage of swell). Competitors awoke on Saturday morning to clear skies and glassy conditions. Ian Wallace, Haley Fiske and Drew Brophy gave an SUP Exhibition and were the test pilots to decide when to start the Big Wave World Tour event and by 11:15am the first heat hit the water. After a slow start, the event saw waves in the 25-30ft faces range with the best big wave surfers in the world displaying their modern approach to big wave surfing. The display of big wave surfing at Nelscott Reef was incredible and the judges were handing out excellent scores throughout the day. "After missing last year for the first time in seven years due to lack of swell/conditions, Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic came through in a big way to make #8 the lucky number." John Forse, Contest Director. © 2013 Brian Overfelt

The semis saw an increase in the surf and many of the usual suspects were charging toward the final while other BWWT newcomers battled for the remaining slots. The standouts of the round were Gabriel Villaran, Jamie Sterling, Greg Long, Ben Wilkinson, Joao De Macedo, and Aaron Ungerleider. The final started at 4:15 pm with only 1 and 1/2 hours sunlight remaining. The final saw the largest and most critical waves of the day. Jamie Sterling stepped it up and collected two excellent scores, a 9 (best wave doubled) and 8.5 to receive a total of 26.5 out of 30. "I'm stoked to have won. I love the wave… That's why I'm here. To surf against world-class surfers at a world-class wave is just icing on the cake." Said Jamie Sterling. © 2013 Brian Overfelt

Aaron Ungerleider also heralding from the North Shore of Hawaii on what could easily be a peaky Mavericks number. © 2013 Brian Overfelt

The A-framing reef allowed competitors to split the peak and maximize scoring potential with big drops and long walls. Round 1 standouts included Gabriel Villaran, Grant Washburn, Ben Wilkinson and Ben Andrews (pictured). © 2013 Brian Overfelt

Greg Long relaxed as ever. © 2013 Brian Overfelt

Jamie Sterling bottom turning his big wave sled like a standard thruster. © 2013 Brian Overfelt

The South Reef Bomb exhibition was a close battle between Nic Lamb and Rusty Long. Both exchanged many great waves in the 30ft face range but at the awards ceremony the surfers and fans gave the nod to Rusty Long (pictured). © 2013 Brian Overfelt

Rusty Long and Ben Andrews splitting the peak. © 2013 Brian Overfelt

Jeff Denholme probably doesn't want to be lauded for paddling a big wave event with only one traditional arm, but we're impressed Jeff. © 2013 Brian Overfelt