A proposal that Bundoran should host the World Surfing Games in 2004 has caused a split among surfers, with factions disagreeing on whether the event would benefit the sport in Ireland.
The issue was raised at a public meeting of surfers in Bundoran last Saturday. Under the rules of the Irish Surfing Association it now goes to a vote among all members.
Mr Brian Britton, the president of the Irish Surfing Association, said the event would raise the profile of the sport, help increase funding and give the association more "clout" in its campaigning on environmental issues.
He also said Irish surfers had competed at world championships in other countries and there was a "moral obligation" to return the hospitality.
The main fear of those objecting is that the publicity surrounding the event would draw large numbers of surfers to Ireland, causing overcrowding on a limited number of surfing beaches.
In a statement they said the World Surfing Games was the largest surfing competition in the world with more than 500 competitors from 40 countries, "and the biggest media circus ever seen for a surfing event".
Countries which have hosted the event in the past were all "mainstream surfing nations" with tens or even hundreds of thousands of surfers, they added.
"They are also hideously crowded, and many of our surf team members can't wait to get home," the statement said.
Mr Britton said the numbers surfing would increase because the sport was growing rapidly in many countries, including Ireland. Most of the new surfers on the water were Irish, he said.
The games would be worth about £3 million to the local economy. Bundoran as well as other nearby surfing locations such as Rossnowlagh and Strandhill in Co Sligo would benefit most.
Mr Britton, who owns a hotel in Rossnowlagh, said the games would boost interest in the sport.
Those who oppose the world games say that surfers should be allowed make up their minds without media pressure. Their strongly worded statement makes the point that surfing is not like other sports. "It isn't a case of the more players or teams, the better. Surf spots are a finite resource".
They are also critical of commercial interests. "Let's not let the Irish Surfing Association foist their competition-orientated, surf-industry-encouraged, booze-sponsored policy on us," the statement said.
Mr Britton said the Irish Surfing Association had been working with the overseas surf media to ensure that some of the best surfing spots were kept secret. For example, the Stormriders' Guide had agreed to name only 60 surfing breaks in Ireland.
One surfer opposed to the world games said large crowds would inevitably follow. "There would be mega-publicity, and there are huge populations of surfers in the UK and northern Europe. When these people come, they don't just stay a few days. They would work their way right up the west coast," he said.
Votes have to be registered with the ISA before April 20th, and the result will be known the following Monday.