Quiksilver surfing tourney starts Sunday

Long Beach residents and store owners are geared up for the Quiksilver Pro New York surfing competition, which begins Sunday.

Over the next two weeks, some of the world's top-ranked professional surfers will compete for $1 million in prize money by riding the waves on Long Island's South Shore.

"We are going to have a great turnout," said Quiksilver spokeswoman Jodi Wilmott. Thousands are expected to attend, including more than 600 athletes, international media and "quality spenders" who will be in the city for 10 days, she said.

The Quiksilver Pro Trials qualifying portion of the contest starts Sunday at 8 a.m. to determine the winner of the final wild card into the main event. That competition is expected to start Monday, with the opening ceremony on the beach at 7 a.m., and run through Sept. 15. Only four days will be used for the surfing competition, which will draw such talent as Balaram Stack of Point Lookout and 10-time world champion Kelly Slater.

The original start of the surfing competition was pushed back from Thursday, and damage from Tropical Storm Irene forced the cancellation of the festival and concerts. To help fill the gap, many local bands will play at local venues.

"It is up to the people now and they are doing what they can," said Charles Christensen, owner of Duke Falcon's Global Grill at West Park Avenue and Edwards Boulevard, four blocks from the event area.

Fifteen local bands and musicians will perform at the free Arts in the Plaza event this afternoon at Kennedy Plaza in front of Long Beach City Hall.

"The events portion of the Quiksilver competition may have been canceled, but leave it to the locals to come out and give their time and talents to kick off the Labor Day and surfing week festivities," said Johanna Mathieson-Ellmer, music coordinator for Arts in the Plaza and director of the nonprofit Arts in Partnership Inc.

Bars such as Sutton Place Great American Bar & Grille are also trying to attract visitors. The bar will have local bands and a DJ each night of the competition, said David Lipka, bar manager.

"We are beefing everything up to give people somewhere to go," Lipka said. He hopes the competition will draw crowds to help make up for revenue lost during last weekend's storm.

The Allegria Hotel will also have live music at its lounge and restaurant on the boardwalk near the competition, said marketing manager Laura Vivonetto. The nine-floor hotel has been reserved for Quiksilver.

"I am bummed out there is no music, but I wouldn't have missed this either way," said Katie Ernst, 31, of Manhattan, who has eight friends visiting from St. Louis and Costa Rica for the competition. "As long as there is surf, a beach and Quiksilver, that is all that I need."

Hit the beach

-- Competition will be held on four days anywhere from Monday to Sept. 15. Wave height and length will determine when the competition is held.

-- Location is the National Boulevard beach.

-- Hawaiian-style opening ceremony will be today at 7 a.m.

-- Preliminary starting time on competition days will be 8 a.m.

-- Autograph signing in the Quiksilver Retail Tent from 9 a.m to 8 p.m.

-- Fee for beach passes (this weekend only): $12

-- Parking: Designated resident-only areas on Magnolia Boulevard to Monroe Boulevard, south of Park Avenue. Parking permits are required. Shuttle buses will be available at Barnum Island on Beach Avenue and Austin Boulevard to the surf site.