The British Surfing Association (BSA) wants to hold the World Surfing Games in Newquay next year.

The biennial event is scheduled to take place in the autumn of 2004 and attracts competitors and spectators from 40 countries.

Newquay last staged the competition in 1986 and it has subsequently been held in South Africa, Australia and America.

By holding the event in late September/early October we are extending the normal tourist season Tom Crawford, Gul International

The BSA's operations director, Dave Read, said the event would bring a good deal of additional income and publicity to the region.

"The BSA last ran the event back in 1986 and it attracted the world's best surfers, including Kelly Slater who has subsequently won the ASP World Title six times.

"If successful it will be a fantastic opportunity for British surfers to compete at the highest level on home beaches," he said.

And locally-based wetsuit manufacturers Gul International has thrown its weight behind the bid.

"This is a great opportunity for British surfing," said the company's marketing director, Tom Crawford.

Defending team

"By holding the event in late September and early October we are extending the normal tourist season, which will greatly benefit the local economy.

"The September competition dates will also mean that the world's top surfers are competing at a time of year when the north coast of Cornwall tends to have good quality surf."

South Africa are the defending team champions.

The team won the title in Durban last year, beating Australia and Brazil to first place.

The Great Britain team at that event was made up almost entirely of surfers from the South West.