Wilson rides long in Noosa's Festival

By Travis Meyn

 

Julian Wilson competing at the Malfunction in 2007:

 

A host of professionals will be among the 600 surfers converging on Noosa beach this week for the Festival of Surfing.

Local legend Josh Constable will return to defend his 2008 crown in the men's pro event despite suffering from pneumonia for the past few weeks.

Coolum surprise packet Julian Wilson, who knocked out nine time world champion Kelly Slater at the Quiksilver Pro earlier this week, will be dropping the shortboard he's been so successful on to compete in the noserider category.

US champions Christian Wach, noseriding, Taylor Jensen, longboarding, and 2007 female winner Jennifer Smith will also make the trek for the eight-day event.

Festival director Phil Jarratt said this year's event was shaping as the biggest yet with 5000 spectators expected to take to Noosa to witness local and international surfers take competition to another level.

"This is the biggest surfing event in the world in terms of participants," Jarratt said.

"Taylor Jensen has been ripping it up all week.

"We've got the best longboarders from all over the world.

"They are the festival.

"It's been going for nearly 20 years now, and has had just about every longboarding international competing."

Organisers were also expecting big crowds for Wilson's competitive return to the longboard.

"Julian hasn't competed as a longboarder for a few years now," Mr Jarratt said.

"There's going to be a lot of interest seeing him."

First competition is at 10am Sunday with various activities and events spread throughout the day.

"We're hoping everyone can get down for the traditional Hawaiian opening ceremony at 5pm," Mr Jarratt said.

Legendary Hawaiian surfer Bonga Perkins will be patron of the event which wraps up on March 22 with proceeds going to SurfAid, Frangipani Dreams and the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal.