Surf Cat

SURFING: Bodyboarding champion Luke Jackson says he’s primed to defend his state crowns when the inaugural Queensland Surf Festival kicks off on Friday.

The nine day event will include state qualifying disciplines such as shortboard, longboard/logger, SUP surfing and bodyboarding – and will replace the traditional state title events of these disciplines.

Queensland state teams will be selected from the event, to go on to surf at their respective Australian Titles.

The bodyboarders will open the festival on Friday and Jackson, the current open men’s and over 35 men’s champion, is ready to go.

“I can’t wait to defend my two state titles this year, I signed up as soon as entries opened,” Jackson said.

“It’s always great to go up against the other bodyboarders of Queensland, there’s a bit of friendly rivalry between the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

“I think the new festival-style format is great, being similar to the national titles – and I’m stoked that the bodyboarders get to kick it off on day one this Friday.”

A surf forecast is predicting a 2-3ft easterly swell heading toward the Coast for the opening day, with light winds also expected.