Surf lifesavers will descend on Pambula Beach later this month for the annual Club to Pub surfboat, ski and paddleboard race.

Hosted by the Pambula Surf Life Saving Club, the event will be run on September 24 over an ocean course from Pambula Beach to Haycock Point and into Merimbula Lake where it concludes at the jetty opposite The Lakeview Hotel.

Race Organiser, Chris Briggs, said this year’s event has attracted a lot of interest from lifesaving clubs and paddlers after the winter season break.

“This is the first surf club event of the year in this area of the state, and it provides a great gauge for crews and paddlers on how their off-season training has been going,” Briggs said.

“Pambula has a record number of five surf boat crews entering this year and several new ski paddlers who will be competing for the first time in the event.”

The event runs over a 10km course and includes a category for stand-up paddle boarders (SUP).

Officials said ski and SUP entries do not need to be affiliated with a surf club, which had opened up the event to members of the public. 

The annual event is growing in popularity with a good number of entries recorded already with officials expecting a few last minute inclusions.

Organisers said the Club to Pub has attracted a lot of local support with Discovery Holiday Parks Pambula Beach the major sponsor of the event providing a holiday for one lucky competitor drawn from the field at the presentations.

“Discovery Holiday Parks is also offering discounted accommodation packages for competitors who are staying overnight which is also a great incentive for people to stay in the area longer,” Briggs said.

The Merimbula Surf Shop, Lakeview Hotel, Mitre 10 Trade Centre, Twofold Security Services and South Coast Paddler are also sponsoring the event with Eden Water Police, Marine Rescue Merimbula and NSW Maritime on board to assist with water safety, an officials boat and course set-up.

“It is great to get the support from our fellow emergency services and local businesses,” Briggs said. “It provides us with prizes to make the event attractive to competitors as well as an extra layer of safety on the water.”

Presentations and the random prize draw will take place at The Lakeview Hotel at the conclusion of the race.

Pambula SLSC have booked Andy O’Donnell and the Figmentz to play at the clubhouse on the evening and it will be open to the public.

Further details and entry forms can be found on Pambula SLSC’s website at http://www.pambulasurf.org.au.