120 surf boat crews are expected to converge on Elizabeth Beach this weekend for the annual Battle of the Boats competition.
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Hosted by Pacific Palms Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), the event is in its 21st year and has grown significantly in that time, attracting crews from across Queensland and New South Wales.
Crews from Mid North Coast surf life saving clubs Pacific Palms, Forster, Cape Hawke and Tea Gardens Hawks Nest will also be in attendance and looking to stamp their authority on the local competition.
Event co-ordinator Elana Knight said the event is one of the most well-regarded in NSW.
“Because it leads into State it gives crews the perfect opportunity to gauge how they're doing against the rest of the competition,” she said.
Mrs Knight said the competition usually attracts upwards of 600 people on the beach each day, which provides a significant economic benefit to the region over the weekend.
"We're proud of a little club like our's doing a really big job."
With Tropical Cyclone Oma expected to bring large surf to the coast, Mrs Knight said the competition will only be moved to Wallis Lake as a last resort.
"We're hoping because it's a north-facing beach, we'll get some protection from the south swell," she said.
"You don't get into surf boat rowing to row on flat water."
A decision will be made on the conditions at first light on Saturday.
The Battle of the Boats runs from Saturday, February 23 to Sunday, February 24.