Many of the world’s best Longboard surfers are in Victoria, Australia, for this weeks Hot Tuna Summer Classic, the richest event on the Australian Longboard Circuit this season. The line up includes the current ASP World Longboarding Champion Josh Constable (Noosa) who will be keen to begin his 2007 season with a win.

Constable is Australia’s top professional longboarder with multiple Australian Titles and last year he took out the World Title in Costa Rica. He spent most of December in Hawaii and has returned for this event which marks the beginning of the Australian Longboard Circuit for 2007.

“It’s great to come to Victoria and especially the Mornington Peninsula where we know we’re certain to score some decent waves for this event,” he said. “Summer can be a fickle time for waves throughout Australia but along the Mornington Peninsula you seem assured of decent surf and good swells, especially between Flinders and the Gunnamatta to Rye Beachbreak stretch. It’s a new season and I guess it’s like we’re all level right now and who ever wins this event gets off to a great start and the field competing is really strong.”

The defending Hot Tuna Summer Classic champion is Coff’s Harbor surfer Harley Ingelby who is back again to defend his title along with numerous highly talented longboarders like Grant Thomas (Maroochydore) and Dane Pioli (NSW/Wollongong). A number of quality Victorian surfers will also compete with young local surfer Sam Dunton possibly well positioned to use his local knowledge of the Peninsula Beachbreaks and score a big result here.

In the Pro Women’s division Lisa Nicholson (Tweed Heads), Selby Riddle (Gold Coast) and Torquay’s Emma Wilson stand out in a strong field. Given the mobility and options of beaches available to surf along the Mornington Peninsula there should be some great surfing action from these masters of the longboard…

Action is due to kick off today. For more info, check out: www.surfingaustralia.com