Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Trinidad and Tobago's national surfing champion Jason Apparicio will be looking to defend his championship title as professional surfers from around the region will journey to Jamaica for the second staging of the annual Makka Pro Surf competition scheduled for Makka Surfing Beach, St Thomas from July 18-20.

The event is the third stop on the Caribbean Surf Network's four regional series which sees competitions in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados.

Uphill battle

Last year Apparicio nabbed the top spot ahead of teammate Chris Dennis. Jamaica's Icah Wilmot who finished third will be looking to claim the event this time around. But, he will have his work cut out for him as Barbadian Adrian Small who finished third last year will also be in the hunt for this year's title.

Alexis Gordon of Barbados will be looking to retain the women's title. Jamaica's top female surfers Danielle O'Hayon and Imani Wilmot will look to improve on their placings after finishing second and third respectively last year.

In the bodyboard division defending champion Alan Alleyene and runner-up Paul Wilson, both of Barbados, will defend their top two positions. However, they will face Jean-Luc Lotaut from Martinique who will be looking to improve on his 2007 third place finish.

According to Billy Wilmot, president of the Jamaica Surfing Association (JSA), the regional surfers will add more flavour and competition to the sport.

"Surfers from as far as Venezuela and the United States are expected to participate. This will considerably improve the level of the competition over the three days," Wilmot said.

More spectators

In 2007 over 30 competitors registered for the event and a greater number of participants and spectators are expected to turn out this year.

"Last year we had over 7,000 spectators in attendance. We are expecting to attract an even greater number this year. The South Haven Citizens Association is working with the JSA to ensure the event will run smoothly and offer many side attractions for the patrons," he said.

The event is endorsed by the Jamaica Surfing Association, Caribbean Surf Network, Sports Development Foundation, Xtreme Sports, Quashi Surfboards, Insight, Suzuki, Jamnesia and the South Haven Citizens Association and endorsed by Generator Specialists.