O’Neill Coldwater Classic kicks off in Santa Cruz Wednesday

The second annual O’Neill Coldwater Classic Invitational kicked off Wednesday in Santa Cruz and continues Thursday.

The surf contest offers 16 unsponsored surfers the chance to compete for a $50,000 sponsorship with O’Neill.

NewsChannel 5 reporter Jake Reiner checked out the action and found out there’s a lot more on the line for these surfers than just winning a competition.

As the white wash clears away, the nerves settle in for these athletes.

“I’m a little nervous,” said Jeison Torres. “I don’t why, you know….I have to get that confidence again.”

Among the surfers competing, Torres is the lone wild card.

“The water is a little cold for me, and my feet get cold,” he said.

Torres is more accustomed to the warm waters of his native Costa Rica. He’s been surfing for 17 years and was selected for the Coldwater Classic after sending judges his highlight reel.

“It feels amazing,” he said. “I work hard for this, you know, to be here with the best guys in the world. “

These surfers are not only judged on how well they surf the wave — wave choice is also a big factor. But that’s just as uncertain as the futures of some of these unsponsored surfers.

“You’re kind of taking it all on yourself, your own credit card, your own money,” said Torey Meister.

Meister knows what these guys are fighting for. He won last year’s competition.

“Now I can do all of the contests, which I couldn’t really do before, so I skip a lot of events because of that,” he said.

Since winning last year, he’s been able to pay off his debt.