The Live Like Toby Retro Team Challenge will be held this Saturday, December 14 and will see teams compete in a tag team format on pre-1980s single and twin fin surfboards.

Forster Tuncurry Boardriders club president Darren McDonagh outlined the significance of the competition.

"It's a retro competition to celebrate our mate Toby who died from cancer about five years ago," Darren said.

"When the board riders club was formed we thought we should dedicate an event to Toby and raise money for cancer research.

"Toby was a big part of the local surfing community and one of the nicest blokes you'd ever meet."

There are 16 men's teams and four women's teams locked in. Each team has five surfers.

The first heats get underway from 7am.

"There will be an elimination process until we have our two finalists and then we go from there," Darren explained.

The prestige of winning the event means more to competitors than cash or trophies.

A charity auction at Club Forster will follow the competition from 5pm.

Darren said the response from the community to donate items for the auction was "unprecedented".

"There's lots of prizes from a retro surfboard, house boat packages, Rip Curl products, accommodation and concert tickets," he said.

Raffles will also be held and merchandise will be for sale.

In previous years, the boardriders club has raised between $15,000 and $20,000.

Funds will be shared between Forster Private Hospital and the club's junior development fund.

"Toby was a big supporter of kids surfing and their development," Darren revealed.