All five continents will be represented on Riyue Bay at the event due to start tomorrow, including non-traditional surfing nations such as Germany, Israel and Russia, as well as the host nation.

Hawaii's Honolua Blomfield, Brazil's Chloe Calmon and American duo Rachel Tilly and Tory Gilkerson are considered leading contenders in the women's event.

In the men's event, the same nations will also figure strongly as Hawaii's Kai Sallas takes on Brazil's Phil Rajzman and United States' Tony Silvagni.

England's Ben Skinner is another contender.

An Opening Ceremony will take place tomorrow to inaugurate the competition.

Each participating country will features in a "Sands of the Water Ceremony" in which a delegate pours sand from their local beach into a clear container, symbolising the "peaceful gathering of nations of the world through longboard".

"We are ecstatic to bring the ISA World Longboard Surfing Championship to China for the first time ever in recording-breaking fashion," said ISA President Fernando Aguerre.

"The growth of the sport of surfing, and particularly the longboard discipline, is on full display with this incredible athlete turnout.

"The increase in athlete participation witnessed in this event can be attributed to multiple initiatives by the ISA, including the ISA's push to grow the sport in non-traditional surfing nations, the addition of gender-equal divisions in the 2018 edition, and the history of major ISA events held in the country.

"Longboard is the original, traditional form of the sport and has been experiencing a resurgence in popularity among young people all around the globe."

Action is China is due to continue until next Thursday (January 25).

Shortboard surfing will make its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.