Brent Dorrington, Thurso, Scotland

Looks chilly, no? The O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series is currently at its second stop in Scotland (the previous stop having been New Zealand, which was won by Adam Melling.) Thurso’s thus far been a dream come true for contest organisers – the water and air temp are living up to the contest’s name (which the New Zealand conditions didn’t do, with some competitors wearing trunks and a vest) and the waves have been pumping six to eight foot.

Brent Dorrington, pictured here, has managed to adjust to a full-suit, booties and gloves enough to surf his way through to the quarter-finals. Quite a contrast to the trunk-friendly Gold Coast water he’s used to. After winning his first and second rounds, Brent came second to Frenchman Vincent Duvignac in his third round heat, but then beat Davey Cathels in round four to put himself back in the game.

When competition resumes, he’ll face Vincent Duvignac again in the quarter finals. Can he overcome the icy soup and mental hurdle of beating someone who’s just beaten him?