Billy Wilmot - file

Excitement is running high around the Jamaican surfing community as the date approaches for the staging of Jamaica's first international Pro/Am surfing contest.

The event is number three in a four-event series being put on by the Caribbean Surf Network. The first two events, one in Trinidad and the other in Barbados, were both tremendous successes.

Top professional surfers from countries around the region have registered to compete for the over US$12,000 on offer. Surfers will be competing in three divisions. Open Short-board, Open Body Board and Ladies.

"This purse money will attract quite a few of the regions top surfers for this event." said Jamaica Surfing Association (JSA) president Billy Wilmot. "We have already had confirmations from Trinidad, Barbados, Venezuela, USA and Martinique. We hope that the Jamaican public will come out to see this display of top class surfing".

When asked of Jamaica's chances at the event, Wilmot said: "Our surfers are not as experienced as some of the internationals, but we are no pushovers. I expect to see Jamaicans finishing in the money rounds."

The event is scheduled to run from July 6-9 at the "Makka" surfing beach in South Haven, Yallahs St Thomas. Wilmot said Yallahs was selected for the venue because the waves at Makka are very consistent and break even on very small swells.

"When the surf is high, Makka is a premier location and when you have to plan an event that depends on waves you have to go with the most consistent location," he added.

The event is endorsed by the Sports Development Foundation, the St Thomas Parish Council and the South Haven Citizens Association.