New Zealand surf life-saving captain Andy McMillan will make his first appearance on home sand since leading his team to its historic world championship title in Adelaide last year.
The Olympic swimmer will compete at the southern region championships at New Brighton Beach, Christchurch, this weekend.
McMillan is part of a powerful 23-strong St Clair team, which also features world champion IRB sisters Steph and Carla Laughton.
The two-day carnival has attracted nearly 250 surf athletes from 12 South Island clubs, including a nine-strong representation from Nelson.
Waimairi has the biggest squad, with 37, while South Brighton, New Brighton and Taylors Mistake also have good numbers attending. Dunedin clubs will be well represented through St Clair and a 19-strong Brighton squad.
McMillan has recently returned to New Zealand after training on the Gold Coast for several years.
He made the London Olympic team in the 4 x 200m relay team and continued his dream year by anchoring a brilliant New Zealand performance in Adelaide, as the Kiwis won their first world title in 14 years.
Other athletes expected to feature this weekend include South Brighton brothers Ryan and Zac Quickenden, who performed well at last week's national canoe racing championships in Rotorua, and clubmate Brad Wilson, in a strong ironman field.
Ageless beach sprinter Malcolm MacDonald has a solid squad coming from the Spencer Park club, while Rarangi and North Beach surf boat crews have been featuring on the national series just completed.
