Sandra English heads to Port MAcquarie this weekend chasing a 12th Australian title.
PERENNIAL champion Sandra English will chase a 12th Australian title when she heads to Port Macquarie for the Australian Surf Festival which gets underway on Saturday.
English is fresh from winning the silver medal in the Women's Over 35 at the recent ISA World Masters Surfing Championship in Nicaragua.
The Budgewoi surfer, who will represent NSW, has been a regular feature on the podium at national and state titles.
She has also had success on the international stage including a 2003 World Masters title and bronze and copper medals at the ISA World Masters in Peru in 2008 and Panama in 2010.
At the recent ISA Masters event in Nicaragua, English was pipped in the final by former World Tour competitor Rochelle Ballard from Hawaii and will again prove tough to knock over in her defence of the Women's Over 35 division in Port Macquarie.
More than 500 surfers from throughout Australia will compete in the event across five disciplines and 34 titles.
The event will feature national titles in longboard, open surf masters, stand-up paddleboard (SUP), alaia and single fin.
The main base for the event will be Town Beach, however the event is mobile, with numerous beach break options available between Port Macquarie and North Haven, including Flynns Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Rainbow Beach at Bonny Hills and Grants Beach at North Haven.
A hotline will be operating which will feature a recorded message updated at 7am each day with the confirmed daily schedule and contest venue.
The Australian Surf Festival event website is now live at www.australiansurffestival.com and during the event will feature live scores, heat by heat results, photo gallery and event news.
This year's event will also feature a busy schedule off the water with live music and surf education courses.
Town Green Inn will become the headquarters for all the land-based action providing competitors and spectators an opportunity to relax when competition is over for the day.
A series of coaching courses will be available for surfing, SUP and judging.