Werri Slash all grown up

THE 20TH instalment of the Werri Autumn Slash, the biggest individual surfing contest on the South Coast, is on this weekend at Werri Beach.

An insutituion on the Kiama sporting calendar, the Slash, hosted by the Werri Beach Boardriders, has grown from a humble, locals-only event into one of the most anticipated on the surfing calendar.

Organisers have opted in 2007 to revert to the contest"s traditional two-day format, with cadet boys (under 16s), junior boys (under 18s) and senior men"s (over 30) events on Saturday.

The blue-ribband open men"s and women"s divisions will compete on Sunday, along with the finals of all divisions. Heats will start at 7.30am on each day.

Werri local Lloyd Bowen, from Gerroa, will be looking to go one better than his 2005 runner-up spot and be the first local Open Men"s winner since Ryan Bailey went back-to-back in 2003 and 2004.

Lloyd, the elder brother of current World King of The Groms Dean Bowen, surfs powerfully and should the surf show some size and grunt, is a real chance of bringing the trophy back to Werri Beach from Manyana"s Nathan Bartlett.

Bowen is an integral member of the Werri Boardriders team that placed third in the recent state round of the Jim Beam Surf Tag before going on to place fifth in the Jim Beam National Finals.

"I don"t know about my chances, but the Slash is always a great event and we love being part of it," he said.

"There"s always a great crowd to see all the action."

Other locals to watch in the Open Mens are previous champs Ryan Bailey and Tully Robinson, while Ulladulla"s Tim Wrench is another who should feature in the final mix.

The 2007 Open Women"s Division has received a boost with Bellachara Boutique Hotel offering "The Bellachara Belle", where the winner will receive a day"s relaxation and pampering at Bellachara Boutique Hotel day spa.

The Werri Slash has been a spingboard for many of the region"s surfers to progress to the professional ranks.

Former winners include ASP surfers Mick Lowe and Phil McDonald and Team Billabong rider Dylan Longbottom.

World Qualifying Series surfers Rhys Bombaci, Luke Cheadle, Tim Wrench and Sally Fitzgibbons (current Women"s champion) have also tasted glory at Werri Beach.

Former pros Todd Prestage, Jake Spooner (current senior men"s champ), Kurt Nyholm, Kim Wooldridge, Sandie Dryden, Yvonne Byron and Kate Skarratt have all won divisions.

"The Werri Slash would not be the event it is today without the support of many local businesses and sponsors who see value in local and grassroots surfing events," Werri Boardriders secretary David Hunt said.

Werri Boardriders would like to thank long time premier club sponsor Surf Dive "N" Ski, original Werri Autumn Slash sponsor Ocean & Earth, OP Surfwear, Carve Optics, and nearby businesses including bellachara boutique hotel, DSN Surfboards, Gerringong Hardware, Advance Concrete Cutting, Jack"s Grill, and Kiama Council.