NEWQUAY'S Watergate Bay will be a hive of activity this weekend as the Headworx English National Surfing Championships takes place from May 5-7.

The competition, which has new sponsors this year, has 24 divisions including longboard, bodyboard, women's, senior and legend. The event is now in its 35th year and will be the biggest yet with over 300 surfers competing.

Last year's winner, Joss Ash, will be determined to defend the title from hundreds of professional surfers, including top British names such as Johnny Fryer, Sam Lamiroy, Matt Capel, Alan Stokes, and this year from his younger brother, Reubyn, who is competing as a senior for the first time in a national competition.

Reubyn Ash won the junior competition at last year's event and then went on to claim the European junior title as part of the Headworx England Surf Team. Surfing in the men's open, Reubyn will now be keen to snatch the title of English Champion from his big brother.

The sponsor of this year's bodyboard competition is Bristol accountancy firm Smith and Williamson Solomon Hare LLP and Watergate Bay will once again stage the championships.

Ben Byfield, marketing manager for title sponsors Headworx said: "Headworx has been a proud supporter of the English Surfing Team over the past two years, and sponsorship of the English Nationals is a great opportunity for us to continue our support for surfing in this country."

The championships are run by the English Surfing Federation - a non profit making organisation dedicated to supporting English surfers.