Close to 4000 windsurfers from across the globe are expected to hit the water for the annual Lancelin Ocean Classic which begins tomorrow.

Among the main attractions are Geraldton products Kirra Young and Hendrix and Jaeger Stone.

Jaeger will be a major drawcard for the event and is the reigning elite wave sailing men’s champion.

He is one of the favourites to take out the event once again.

The contest kicks off another busy year for Stone after he finished 2011 ranked 19 in the world.

He took out the national wave sailing competition in February last year after his Lancelin victory.

Stone, who is also studying physiotherapy at university, then placed ninth at the 2010 Pozo Gran Canaria, a huge international wave sailing event in Spain.

He then went on to place third in a second Professional Windsurfing Association event in Tenerife, also in Spain.

His brother Hendrix took out the junior wave sailing event and is also expected to return to Lancelin to defend his title.

A total of $25,000 in prize money will be on offer over the wave sailing, marathon and slalom categories which all offer men’s, women’s and junior divisions.

Young placed third in the women’s marathon last year and second in the wave sailing category.

She said the results were a surprise.

“It was my first time at the competition last year and I had really good fun,” she said.

“The forecast does not look too good this year for the marathon on Saturday but there should be a bit of wind for the wave sailing competition.”

The wave sailing competitions begin tomorrow and are scheduled to finish Friday if conditions are good enough.

The marathon and slalom events are scheduled to be completed on Saturday.

Young will have to overcome a hand injury to go two steps better in the marathon event.

“I was catapulted while windsurfing a couple of weeks ago but should be fine,” she said.

“I was just happy to finish the marathon last year — I loved it.”