The 144 surf stars who descended on the north coast town of Thurso last month for the O'Neill Highland Open, the world's most northerly round of the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) could return next year to carve up the waves in the Pentland Firth.
 
"We are definitely keen to talk to the organisers of the Highland Open to see how EventScotland can help further support their ambitious plans in 2009," revealed Rhona Corscadden, a manager at the national events quango, EventScotland.
 
For the first time, EventScotland contributed £25,000 towards the $US135,000 surfing contest won by 26 year-old Adam Robertson from Australia and which also saw the 2000 ASP World Champion, Sunny Garcia of Hawaii in action. 
 
Though officials are still awaiting feedback on the economic impact of the second tier ASP World Tour event, staged annually off Thurso since 2006, Corscadden clearly believes there is merit in maintaining contact with the Holland based organisers.
 
"We want to promote Scotland as the perfect stage for all sorts of events. It's brilliant to be able to include something that's so different and exciting in our portfolio."

Corscadden revealed EventScotland's objective this year was to help organisers maximise international media coverage of the event and in turn use the surfing spectacular to "showcase Scotland as a really dynamic, edgy place to come."