O’Neill and the Cape Fear Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, in conjunction with the UNCW Surfrider, are hosting the second annual Cape Fear Clean Water Classic on Stone Street in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina on the weekend of October 7-8th, 2006.

The Cape Fear Clean Water Classic is a surf contest for surfers on the East Coast. It also serves as a forum for the education of water-quality, as well as fair beach access and all issues that surround the coastal environment and its community.

The contest aims to provide an opportunity for like-minded individuals to come together to raise awareness of these issues and express pride in the coastal culture and community. The contest is a fun competition between teams from local surf shops and universities from all over the East Coast. This year’s contest will also offer an Open Challenge for two age groups: 18 years + and under-18s.

Supporting sponsors for this great community event include: Spy Optic, DaKine, AV ALIVE, Eastern Skate and Surf Supply, and Ruckus.com. There will also be host booths and displays from many businesses and organizations in the surf industry as well as those involved with the education and conservation of the coastal environment.

The Clean Water Classic is divided into three contests: the Open Challenge, Surf Shop Team Challenge, and College Team Challenge. The Open Challenge hosts a per person entrance fee, and prizes will be awarded to the First Place Overall winner, Best Air winner, and Highest Scored Wave Winner of the over 18 and older division.

The Surf Shop Team Challenge hosts a per team entrance fee. All teams must have 5 members and must include the following team members: Under 18, 18-31, 31+, Longboard, Female. There is a 20-team maximum in this event. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. Any group who wishes to enter a team into the Surf Shop Team challenge may do so; however, first priority will be given to surf shop A teams and then awarded to other teams on a first-come basis.

The College Team Challenge hosts a per team entrance fee and will be a tag team event. All teams must have 5 members with at least one female member in order to participate in this tag team event. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams.

Contest participants, contest sponsors, and participating organizations and vendors will be invited to relax after the first day of the contest on Saturday night, with the Cape Fear Clean Water Classic Banquet located in the Landing Shopping Center Parking lot in Wrightsville Beach.

For more information please visit the contest website at: www.wbcleanwaterclassic.com.

Registration opens August 12th and closes the morning of the contest. Team rosters must be submitted by October 2nd. Registration is on a first come first serve basis, so please register as soon as possible.