The scaffolding is up, trialists ready, alternates ready, seeded surfers ready, flannels and beanies: on.

Sleepy Santa Cruz is awoken once a year to host the O'neill Cold Water Classic at the iconic Steamer Lane on the Westside of town. The third and final jewel in the CWC series, this event carries ASP Prime points, as well as dtermining the overal CWC champion. Currently, after events in New Zealand and Scotland, Aussie Brent Dorrington leads the CWC ratings, with Adam Melling close behind.

The trials should be under way tomorrow morning, with Round One to follow. Classic fall conditions should provide a combination of small NW and SW swells to keep the surf in the playful range through the first couple days of the waiting period.

Watch the thing here.