Organisers and competitors are watching and waiting with mounting anticipation as the Skinners Brewery 2007 "Gold Rush" Big Wave Contest at Fistral Beach, Newquay, draws closer.

Organised by the British Surfing Association, over 40 surfers are expected to take part - mobilised at just 72 hours' notice once the predicted big waves have been identified.

The UK's first "condition-induced" surfing competition - with the unique feature of the movable date - was declared an outstanding success in October last year.

Then Newquay-based surfer Ben Skinner, world No. 2 longboarder, came within a whisker of winning the contest. He was ahead until the final ten seconds, when Jerseyman Scott Eastwood "barrelled" in the last wave for a perfect ten score.

This year's Gold Rush is being sponsored by the namesake Truro-based brewery headed up by Ben's dad Steve, who says: "We're all just waiting for the swell now. Everyone is ready - the surfers, the organisers, and the beer!"

He adds: "We are delighted to be the first major sponsor of such an exciting event. We believe it will grow and grow in popularity and esteem. Surfing can have few if any equals as the spectacular sport of the 21st Century and we see enormous potential for the Gold Rush.

"Fistral at its best is just amazing, and it's an awesome spectacle when you see top surfers utilizing the power of the big waves."