FAVOURABLE weather patterns could see organisers stage the 2014 Shark Island Bodyboard Challenge, off Cronulla Point, sooner than later.
And this time the international stars of the sport are lining up for the big event.
While the contest off the challenging reef feasibly has a waiting period of six months from May onwards, organiser and contestant Alex Leon yesterday revealed that coastal swells forecast had his team "primed" for a possible early May start as they search to find the best two days of swell over the winter.
"The forecast conditions are very good, with plenty of riders out there on the weekend in the big swell," Leon said.
"And a lot of the guys from overseas are on the way here already."
They include present world champion and three-time champion, Australia's Ben Player, multiple world champion Mike Stewart (Hawaii), Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii), Pierre Louis Costes (France) and Amuary Lavernie (France).
Others include the likes of Jared Houston (South Africa) and Guilherme Tamega (Brazil), along with fellow Australian pros like Dave Winchester, Mitch Rawlins, Ryan Hardy and Jase Finlay and local stars like Andrew Lester, Josh Kaihe, Alex Leon and Sam Strachan.
The Shark Island contest, now in its 18th year, is one of the most famous bodyboarding competitions in the world and regarded among the top professionals as one of the "best events to compete in".
Organisers could not entice the overseas stars last year because of tour commitments, with local Josh Kaihe upstaging some of the bigger local names to win the event, in September.
A field of 24 athletes have been invited to compete this year.
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