Asher Nolan Wins the Macy's California Trifecta Surf Series $5,000 Bonus Prize

Santa Cruz, Calif., October 24, 2005 - The O'Neill Cold Water Classic presented by JeepR Brand finished today crowning Bobby Martinez as the 2005 Cold Water Champion. In a very close final, Martinez was followed by legend and 1991 Cold Water Champion Matt Archbold in second, separated by less than one point. O'Neill team riders Cory Lopez and Timmy Reyes finished in third and fourth respectively. Martinez took home the $10,000 prize and the coveted 1,500 World Qualifying Series points.

"I am glad I was able to surf today. I got really lucky out there because it was hard to hear what the announcers were saying," said Martinez. "I knew I just needed to surf a good wave and not fall."

Asher Nolan was the decided winner of the Macy's California Trifecta Surf Series and took home the $5,000 bonus prize. After surfing in all three contests of the Trifecta, Nolan was able to put together a total of 2,370 points toward the title, just squeezing past Nathaniel Curran with 2,250 total points and Brett Simpson with 2,106 total points. The Macy's California Trifecta Surf Series was established this year to help strengthen surfing in America and allow American WQS surfers to earn critical points toward the WCT.

With excellent surf coming through Steamer Lane, surfers and organizers continued the momentum of the previous day all the way through the finals. The contest was postponed yesterday in the middle of the quarterfinals due to the thick fog in the late afternoon and resumed this morning at 8:30 a.m. to finish the remaining two hours of competition.

As the fog and competition cleared, it became evident that it was Martinez and Archbold going all the way to the very end. Martinez made his first appearance in round six yesterday and advanced through rounds six and seven into the quarterfinals. The showdown between Martinez and Archbold began as they met one another for the first time this contest in the quarterfinals. They would both go on to face-off in the semifinals and eventually the finals; each time Archbold taking second slightly behind Martinez. Archbold started his Cold Water campaign at the very beginning of the contest in round one and advanced through nine rounds to the finals.

In the semifinals, Martinez put together a series of huge slashes getting deep in the pocket, hitting the lip in the critical section and earning the second perfect 10 of the contest. Archbold had scored a perfect 10 earlier in round six yesterday for a wave he caught on the "Indicator" wave.

In the final showdown, Archbold came out the gate firing with momentum from his nine round rampage. He opened up with a huge set wave off the point on his forehand. Generating tremendous speed, Archbold turned it on with a big wrap around cut-back and followed with a few more hard turns to earn an 8.5.

Martinez was up next and threw down a 7.0 for his first scoring wave. Archbold came back with a 6.5, but was unable to get back into the lineup to hold off Martinez from taking the lead. With things to himself, Martinez dropped into an outside bomb and put together an 8.5 to take first. Archbold caught another few inside waves but came up short, leaving Martinez in the lead with less than a point between them. After six days of surfing with over 200 competitors, the O'Neill Cold Water Classic came to an end.

O'Neill Santa Cruz started in northern California in 1952 and has sponsored the Steamer Lane contest for nearly 20 years. "There is not a better place in the world for a surf contest than Steamer Lane with its natural arena and capacity to hold so many people," said Pat O'Neill. "We are so happy to sponsor this contest in our home town and to host some of the best surfing in the world. Thank you to all the people who worked very hard to make this contest happen. And a special thank you to the city for allowing us to have another day to make sure the 2005 contest was one of the best."

For more information on the O'Neill Cold Water Classic results please visit, www.surfermag.com/events/cwc05. FUEL TV will telecast the O'Neill Cold Water Classic on November 28, 2005. For additional dates and specific times visit www.fuel.tv. The O'Neill Cold Water Classic presented by JeepR Brand is also supported by Oakley, Coors, Surfer Magazine, Surfing Magazine, Surfing America and ASP North America. Check out the O'Neill Cold Water Classic and all of the Macy's California Trifecta Surf Series surf spots at www.WaveWatch.com.

About O'Neill
O'Neill is the world's original surf brand. The family-owned and operated company distributes its products to 85 countries, including more than 2,000 specialty wetsuit and clothing retailers in the U.S. Consumer information is available at www.oneill.com.

About Jeep Brand
The heroic heritage of Jeep brand and its sport-utility mastery stretches back 65 years. In 2006, the Jeep brand continues to deliver on its promise to provide rugged, versatile, innovative four-wheel drive vehicles with the launch of the all-new 2006 Jeep Commander, and the introduction of the Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass concept vehicles. Jeep's legendary capability has made it synonymous with words like freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity. Whether it's through lifestyle programs, lifestyle activities, or innovative spectator events, the Jeep brand continues to help people expand their boundaries and life experiences.

About PRIMEDIA'S Action Sports Group
Reaching more than 2 million enthusiasts, PRIMEDIA's ASG is the dominant force in the action sports and adventure sports arenas. In addition SURFER, the ASG publishes leading lifestyle publications such as Surfing, SG, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Bike, Powder and Canoe & Kayak. PRIMEDIA's ASG delivers a cutting-edge network of online properties, events and television programming. Learn more online at: http://www.actionsportsgroup.net

About Surfing America Pro Tour
This year's Tour includes stops in California, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Mexico. The Surfing America Pro Tour is administered and sanctioned by Surfing America, Inc.-the North American Regional Office of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP). Surfing America is the recognized National Governing Body for surfing in North America. http://aspworldtour.com

About Macy's West
Macy's West, a division of Federated headquartered in San Francisco, operates 145 stores in seven states and Guam, with annual sales of more than $4 billion. At Macy's we are committed to supporting the communities where we live and work. In 2004, we raised and donated nearly $12 million in community support through our fundraising efforts. Federated, with corporate offices in Cincinnati and New York, is one of the nation's leading department store retailers, with annual sales of more than $15.6 billion. Federated operates more than 450 stores in 34 states, Guam and Puerto Rico under the names of Macy's and Bloomingdale's. The company also operates macys.com and Bloomingdale's By Mail.

About Surfing America
Surfing America is the ISA-recognized National Governing Body for Surfing in the United States. The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for Surfing, Bodyboarding, and Surfriding. http://www.surfingamerica.org