Mark Holder will be among the Bajan surfers on show.

by HEATHER-LYNN EVANSON

LOCAL, REGIONAL AND international surfers will hit the water this weekend for the second annual Caribbean Surf Network (CSN) Brandons Pro at the Drill Hall Beach.

And the organisers are smiling as the current deep low-pressure system promises at least four-foot waves at the usually inconsistent Brandons Beach.

CSN co-ordinator Nick Donawa said the organisers initially had a tough time deciding where to hold the contest.

"There is such a huge swell on the outside of Barbados coming down that all the spots should be active, from Soup Bowl to the West Coast to the South Coast, but we got confirmation that the contest will remain at Brandons," he said.

"The contingency plan we have is that we can possibly move it [from Brandons should the waves peter out] but we would move it to the West Coast because Soup Bowl may be too big," he said.

Over the past three days, several surfers have arrived from France, Martinique, Florida, United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Aruba and have been taking advantage of the huge swells battering the coasts.

In all, 96 surfers are expected for the two-day event, said Donawa, adding that the competition could stretch into Monday depending on the level of competition.

Local surfers Lewis St John and Bruce Mackie, who placed first and second respectively in the Juniors Division of February's Sansouci Pro in Trinidad, along with Ametza Nicholls and Jade Niccolls, who were first and third respectively in the women's division, and second-place surfer in the points standings Mark Holder will do battle with the visitors.

In addition, reigning champ Alan Davis of Trinidad and special guests – European pro junior Quiksilver surfers Joann Duru and Romain Cloitre – are here for the competition.

More than BDS$12 000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs. Surfers will compete in the Open Men, Open Women, bodyboarding and Junior categories. Final registration was done yesterday.