TOFINO, British Columbia (Saturday, October 31, 2009) – The inaugural Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada saw a fairytale ending today when local standout Peter Devries (Tofino, BC), 26, went on an absolute rampage to claim the event over Jay Thompson (Burleigh Heads, AUS), 27, in front of his home crowd in Tofino on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Devries stormed through an unbelievable list of some of the world’s finest surfing talent to take out the win today, besting former ASP World Tour Standout Cory Lopez (Dana Point, CA), 32, and current ASP WQS No. 12 Glen Hall (IRE), 27, before topping Thompson at his local break of North Chesterman’s beach. The O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada was the first time an ASP event had touched Canadian soil and Devries made history as the first Canadian to claim an ASP WQS win.

“I can’t believe it,” Devries said. “This contest was just such a great opportunity for me and thanks so much to everyone, my friends, family, sponsors and everyone in town for all of the support and helping me get to where I am. I’m just so stoked to have all of these guys competing here and I can’t believe I came out on top with all of these incredible guys surfing here.”

Thompson proved why he stands tall amongst the world’s finest surfers, and surfed powerfully throughout the entire event before being stopped short of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada title by Devries, but was happy to have his heat against the local standout.

Thompson, who is the first nate on the ASP World Tour, is looking to find a permanent spot on next year’s ASP World Tour and the runner-up finish launches him to No. 19 on The Grind

Photos credit : Jeremy Koreski