Why Thurso is very, very cool for surfers

Until recently, only a select band of hardy surfers have braved the icy cold waters off the northern tip of Scotland in search of the perfect wave.

However, later this month, the best surfers in the world - from the likes of Hawaii, California and South America - will descend on Thurso to take part in the biggest international competition ever held in the UK, lured by a total prize fund of more than 60,000.

When a north wind blows, the reefs off the Highland town are capable of throwing up waves of 20 feet or more - comparable with the likes of the famous Waimea Bay in Hawaii - and the "be all and end all" of surfing: tube or barrel waves.

The O'Neill Highland Open was successfully trialled last year and the "outstanding surf and huge waves" resulted in this year's competition being ranked as only one of five "prime" surfing events in the world. The action, from 24 April to 1 May, will be shown live via the internet.

A spokeswoman for O'Neill, the surfing company and event organiser, said: "The UK will see the world's best talent competing on British surf. For many competitors it will be the coldest climate in which they have ever surfed and the contrast of tanned Brazilian, Hawaiian and Australian surfers against the backdrop of fields of sheep and traditional Scottish castles will provide a unique event."

Sam Lamiroy, 31, the current British champion, will be among the surfers taking part in what he said was likely to be the "biggest competition on the entire world tour", with almost all of the best surfers in the world drawn by the large prize fund and the experience.

"I remember when I used to go up there as a 14-year-old being amazed by the sheer power of the waves and how perfect they can be - Thurso was the first place I saw perfect waves," said Mr Lamiroy, who now lives in Cornwall.

Local competition could come from Michael Heddle, 27, manager of Tempest Surf in Thurso, who is hoping to become Scottish surfing champion this weekend and earn a wildcard place in the event.

He said: "I've lived in Thurso all my life and I'm acclimatised to it, but some people find it absolutely freezing."

Bob Earnshaw, chairman of Thurso Community Council, said that local people hoped the increasing popularity of the sport would help the local economy.

He said: "Surfing in Thurso has become very popular over the last few years. The surfers themselves seem to think the waves are excellent."

THURSO

• Wave height: Up to 20 feet and above.

• April temperatures: Up to about 16C.

• Best beaches: Thurso East, Brims Ness Point, Bowl and Cove and "S*** Pipe".

• Surfing chat: The Footprint Surfing Britain guide says: "Thurso East holds a unique place in European surf lore. For a spot that has been called 'the best right reef in the UK', it is amazingly uncrowded."

• Thurso: Means "bull's water" in Old Norse.

• Population: 8,721

• Latitude: 59 degrees north, the same as Juneau in Alaska.

• Places to stay: Murray House bed and breakfast, Sandra's Backpackers' Hostel, Royal Hotel.

• Nightlife: Skinandis nightclub is famed among UK surfers.

HONOLULU

• Wave height: About 25ft to 30ft in winter.

• April temperatures: Up to 30C and beyond.

• Best beaches: Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach for surfing, Waikiki Beach for sunbathing.

• Surfing chat: "Even expert surfers think twice when confronted with 30ft waves that crash on the shore with the force of a runaway locomotive," says the New York Times.

• Honolulu: Means "sheltered bay" or "place of shelter".

• Population: 377,000.

• Latitude: 21 degrees north.

• Places to stay: Hilton Hawaiian Village, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki and the Sheraton Waikiki.

• Nightlife: John Dominis restaurant; the Ocean Club bar and dance club (no shorts, jeans or sandals); the Red Lion for surfers.