JIMMY'S Beach will play host to some of worlds top windsurfing competitors over the next four days as the Oceanic and Australian Windsurfing Champion-ships get underway. A national windsurfing event of this level has never been held at Hawks Nest, with the Championships attracting the best windsurfers from all around the world.

Organising committee director of Windsurfing NSW and three-time defending champion of the event, windsurfer Sean O'Brien said Hawks Nest could very well be the east coast's best kept secret.

"There are not a lot of these spots close to a capital city such as Sydney, so it's really great," said O'Brien."It's definitely one of the best beaches on the east coast, with regards to the bay as well as an awesome surfing beach, dolphins, and koalas but still has that small town, local vibe to it." O'Brien hopes to see the championships flourish and set a standard for professionally run international windsurfing events in Australia. O'Brien and other Australian windsurfing competitors who race the international pro circuit have been extending their ideas back to Australia to potentially develop a professional front."It's definitely a slow process," O'Brien said."Although this sports event is huge for windsurfing; we're expecting approximately 50 guys to race."With important points for the Formula Windsurfing World title up for grabs, as well as five qualification places for the 2010 World Championships, it is one of the most anticipated continental windsurfing championships of the year, says O'Brien. While world-ranking windsurfing champions will be on the water, the windsurfing championships are open to everyone, from overseas or interstate."There are participating events to please everyone, along with the main race there will also be a shorter course as well as youth and ladies windsurfing competitions, the more people the better," said O'Brien. The windsurfing awards presentation will take place at Hawks Nest Golf Club on Saturday, featuring a free concert by Brisbane band Afterglow Duo.