BRENT Dorrington has added an O'Neil Coldwater Classic Scotland win to his already impressive list of achievements this year.

The Coolangatta surfer was able to raise the Highland Sword high above his head to be knighted Lord Dorrington after winning the event yesterday, and in doing so has taken the lead in the four-stop series.

It was a close-fought and low-scoring final in clean four-foot conditions at Thurso East. Despite a wave on the whistle, New Zealander Jay Quinn (7.66) had to settle for second place behind Dorrington (9) at the 6 Star ASP Event.

“I decided to man up and come try to surf in the cold,” Dorrington said. “I'm so glad that I did. I've never be in a final and to win my first final is the best feeling ever.

“Plus, this week was the best waves I have ever surfed in a competition.”

In addition to the title of Lord and $20,000 prizemoney, Dorrington also gets to bring home the Highland Sword.

“My friends who I travel with – Lord Adam Melling and Lord Royden Bryson – both have a Highland Sword each, so it's great I have one too now,” Dorrington said.

“I'm going to hang that sword on my wall in the pool room above the pool table.”

The win builds on Dorrington's ninth place in the CWC Gisborne and semi-final finish at the Burleigh Breaka Pro.

He has also nailed a spot in surf filmmaker Taylor Steele's Innersection film, released earlier this year.

Dorrington's father Gary, and the rest of his family and supporters, didn't get much sleep on Sunday night as they followed his progress through the event.

Gary was stoked, but tired, yesterday at his Kirra Beach surfboard shop. “Everyone around him is extremely happy and I haven't slept all night,” he said.

The pair was communicating via text message as Brent progressed, because phone calls were too expensive.

Before the semi-final, Brent sent Gary one last message.

It was: “Ring me to talk after I win this thing.”

Dorrington then paddled out and scored two nine-point rides in the semi-final to have his opponent beaten within 10 minutes.

His first win is a case of the surfer finally living up to his potential.

“He's just been a bit unlucky in finals and semis in the past. Everyone knows he has got enough ability. It is just a matter of putting it together in the 20 to 25 minutes in his heats for a result,” Gary said. “It is a real confidence-boost, this one.”

Gary and another of his sons, Luke, shape Brent's boards and they were understandably chuffed with the way their shapes performed.

“Very much so,” Gary said. “We've been working a lot on our boards for the past year or so and we're getting some good results.”

Gary made a new batch of boards for Brent's Scotland trip with good waves in mind, and his hunch paid off.

“With this one we refined the boards a little bit, because I was hoping there would be some slightly better waves on offer.”

It was one of the most spectacular years for the Thurso event and the main contest site was used throughout.

“It's been an awesome week of surf,” Australian Jarrad Howse said.

“These have been some of the best conditions we have ever had for this competition. Not only has the comp been impressive, but the free surfing around this area has been incredible. It doesn't get much better than this.”

Gary revealed Brent had worked hard on his fitness ahead of the CWC series, in preparation for the freezing water and thick wetsuits. A new sponsor, Abundance Health in Tweed Heads South, has helped him reach the new level of fitness.

Gary thanked Brent's mates.

“Thanks to all his buddies for staying in touch with him and watching all his events,” he said.

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach waiting period begins today. Forecasters are predicting a four-foot groundswell to begin building tomorrow and increase to six foot by Friday.