The O’Neill Cold Water Classic New Zealand 2011 was ruled by the top seeds on the fourth day. The competition remained at ‘The Pipe’ on Midway Beach for the second consecutive day. The event’s top seed, Adam Melling (AUS), was the first surfer to move through to Round of 12 and he eliminated the last standing Kiwi, Maz Quinn along the way. Despite being the highest placed Kiwi at the event, the result gives Quinn no desire to chase the ASP World Tour.

Stu Kennedy was another Australian to shine in the round of 48 and wants to make it to the finals to defend his title. Kennedy is the defending event champion having won the most southern surf event of the O’Neill Cold Water Classics Series 2010 in Tasmania last year.