2008-09-19 14:32:14 - SIARGAO ISLAND, Surigao del Norte. 48 world surfers coming for 6-day 2008 Surfing Championship in Siargao Island. 48 world surfers coming for 6-day 2008 Surfing Championship in Siargao Island

At least 48 world surfers are set to arrive here on September 19 for the six-day 2008 Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational Surfing Championships on September 20-26.

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Surigao del Norte solon Rep. Francisco T. Matugas, Gov. Robert Ace Barbers and the island's local chief executives said the big opening has already been set for the week-long event.

'All systems go,' said Matugas.

The prestigious tournament include defending event champion, Australian surfing star Wade Goodall (Caloundra) and some of the world's most prolific tube riders like 2006 Pipeline Master Jamie O'Brien (Hawaii) and professional big wave rider Makua Rothman (Hawaii), Australian chargers Laurie Towner (Yamba, NSW) and Dylan Longbottom (Coolangatta, Qld).

A special cash prize of U.S. $20,000 will be up for grabs

at 10 a.m. on Saturday at General Luna, Siargao Island, after a big welcome lunch for guests and all competitors.

The opening ceremony will also attended by top regional, provincial and city officials and other government heads and civic groups in the region.

The tournament will be held in ‘Cloud 9', a powerful hollow right-hander that has been hailed as one of the 10 best waves in the world and has been frequently compared to the renowned surf areas of Hawaii and Indonesia.

The yearly international surfing tournament is also being fully supported by Department of Tourism (DOT).

The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational is jointly supported by the Provincial Government of Surigao Del Norte and the support from the Department of Tourism.

Last year, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also graced an international fishing tournament in this tourism island paradise in Northeastern Mindanao.