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THIS Sunday's Guinness World Record attempt to have the "Most surfers standing on one wave", the debate on whether there is a shark problem around the Peninsula, and the fundraising efforts for the non-profit Shark Spotters programme are attracting unprecedented attention from participants and businesses in the Deep South, nationally and internationally.

While the recent sensational news on Cape Town's shark problem is now joined by news on the efforts being made by the local watersports community to address this issue on globally renowned surfing websites, the surf industry, surf schools, local restaurants, developers and even anonymous donors have stepped in to ensure the success of the initiative.

After the Empire Café started the ball rolling by challenging all restaurants to equal or better their R200 meal voucher plus R200 cash donation, more than 20 other establishments have matched or bettered this, with Kalk Bay's Harbour House, Polana, Live Bait and Sirocco combining to contribute R1 000 in total.

Former four-time world kneeboarding champ Gigs Cilliers, who will be joining other celebrities at the event on Sunday, has challenged all other surf shops to match or better the R500 in surf accessories and a R500 donation on behalf of his Surf Zone stores in Cape Town and Durban.

And an anonymous donor has forked out R850 to fund the participation of 10 surfers from historically disadvantaged communities, plus their transport to and from the event.

The programme for Sunday sees the shark debate in a marquee tent at Surfers Corner starting at 11:00 with the participants in the Guinness World Record attempt lining up at 15:00 before taking to the surf for an hour, during which time half a dozen attempts will be made to better the record of 44 surfers who rode a single wave for a minimum of five seconds in Ireland in May.

It's going to be a colourful affair, with over 200 surfers expected, including groups in fancy dress and others in sponsors regalia. The local surf schools like the Roxy Surf Club, Learn2Surf, Lifestyle Surfshop and Gary's Surf School have all made their collection of long surfboards available to make it easier for participants to catch the waves and stay riding for long enough to be counted.

There will also be a Dig for Gold competition between the debate and the record attempt, with young and old alike scrambling in the sand for more than 20 valuable prizes. And numerous lucky draws and other fun activities will be held during the event, with all profits from the project being handed over to the Shark Spotters along with a list of concerns raised during the debate.

With TV coverage confirmed and radio and press exposure on the cards, there are plenty of opportunities for sponsors and members of the public to participate in this socially responsible project to enhance the safety of ocean users. Go to www.kahunasurf.co.za for more details or call them at 783-4965.

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