The Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club is hosting the Life Saving Victoria senior state championships, which are expected to bring 1000 competitors to the town.

The Shearwaters crew of Scott Hetherington, Greg Dalton, Shaun Murrihy, Dean Dwyer and sweep Paul Buchanan will race in the men’s reserve grade.

They have enjoyed success at masters’ events before, wining four gold medals at state level and have made two finals at national level.

Though they will be competing against a wider age group at the Life Saving Victoria championships, Buchanan said strong form over the season had the men’s crew confident of putting in a good showing.

“We’ve been working hard and the boys have actually won two pennants already in their age group at the Apollo Bay and Fairhaven carnivals,” he said.

“We of course they’re competing against some of the younger and stronger crews in the Victoria championships. But we’re looking forward to holding the Port Fairy flag aloft for the town.”

Leonie Boyd, Brooke Greene, Tania Dalton and Nicole Dwyer will represent the Firebirds in the open women’s grade, with Greg Dalton as the sweep.

They have medalled in the past at the state championships, and will be looking to capitalise on strong training form, with just one prior carnival appearance this summer.

Buchanan, who is special projects officer at Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club, said between competitors, support crews and spectators, there could be 2000-3000 people make their way to Port Fairy.

“It’s the biggest carnival Port Fairy has ever hosted,” he said.

“As a club, we’re excited about having the elite competition come to our beach.

“I’m so happy that all our members will be able to see all the best competition in all the different categories in the state.”

The surfboat events will be run and won on Saturday, while most other categories will have heats from 8am on Saturday and finals on Sunday.

Buchanan said a mild swell, moderate winds and temperatures of 25-26 degrees Celsius were expected for the weekend, paving the way for a good competition.

“It should be good for the board and ski paddling,” he said. “The beach flag is always a great event … (and) there should be a pretty quick sprint on our hard sand at Port Fairy.”

Buchanan thanked all the club’s volunteers, as well as Moyne Shire Council and Life Saving Victoria for helping organise the championships.