SMALL, fun waves at the beginning of the week lifted the spirits of surfers and contest directors alike after a weekend of cancellations.

With the run of swell predicted to last into the weekend, fingers crossed it will be all systems go.

Saturday sees the return of the mighty North Devon Interclubs Cup in Woolacombe.

Teams from across the region will be scrapping for fame, glory and beer courtesy of event sponsor St Austell Brewery.

With team sign-in between 9 and 9.30am, battle should commence in the water at 10am.

This weekend also sees the Saunton-based Hotdoggers longboard club hosting another of their underdog comps. The Hotdoggers Sixties-style Masters had been postponed until July 12.

Contact Norman Wright for details on 07787 906525 or visit the club's website.

Today sees the launch of a timely summer water safety campaign backed by Subway Southwest and Surf Life Saving Great Britain.

Formed in 1955 with more than 60 affiliated surf life saving clubs and a membership of thousands, the SLSGB's aim is to provide facilities for young people to participate in organised life saving, promote and improve standards of water safety and develop and improve beach life saving methods and equipment.

Through a Summer Surf Promotion, running in its 36 South West stores from July 6 to 26, Subway aim to help further reinforce the charity's message "to provide a safe and enjoyable environment on our beaches" as well as offering shed loads of fantastic surf-related prizes.

North Devon's answer to Pamela Anderson, Sophie Hellyer, winner of the 2009 Bude Classic Surf and runner-up in the English Open Surfing Championships, will be on hand to offer advice as SLSGB ambassador at the promotional launch.

"As a qualified lifeguard, I see lots of visitors to our beaches who have no water sense," said Sophie.

"Our aim is to help people enjoy the sea safely by making them aware of the potential dangers posed by rip currents and the like."

Sophie will be taking the message across the South West over the next few weeks with events in Truro, Weymouth, Plymouth and Torquay

The Barnstaple launch is taking place in the Subway store at Unit 2, Rose Lane District Centre, from 11am today.