STATE versus state, mate versus mate. No, not the State of Origin rugby league but a wonderful concept developed by Surfing Queensland – Coast of Origin which pits the best board riders on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast against each other beginning this Saturday.

Top flight surfers from both coasts have put their hands up to compete in club colours including locals hot-shots Clint Kimmins, Mitch Crews and Blake Ainsworth as well as legendary Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew who will take to the water in the men's over-45 years event.

Among the elite boardriders from up north contesting the series will be Corey Ziems, Asher Pacey and Mark Richardson.

The concept, in which boardriders represent their clubs across a series of divisions, ranging from open men and women through to over 45 men and under 14 boys and girls, will be contested from area through to regional competitions and then onto the State Challenge held on the Gold Coast on the weekend of October 8-9.

Competitors will compete on short board, long board and SUP (stand up paddle) events, in which each surfer gains points for his club in four-person heats at all three tiers of the competition – the winner receives four points, second three, and so on.

Boardriders accumulate points for their club, so the further they progress in the series, the more chance their club has of accumulating the most points after the State Challenge competition when Coast of Origin club champion will be announced.

Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast riders will be kept apart until the State Challenge – both coasts will be split into north and south pools – Gold Coast's north pool comprises surf clubs north of the Tallebudgera Creek and the southern extent goes down to Snapper Rocks.

The Area Challenges will be held next weekend – the Sunshine Coast Northern pool will be held at Mudjimba Beach on Saturday and the Southern pool at Maroochydore Beach on Sunday.

Gold Coast Northern pool is scheduled for Miami on Saturday and the Southern pool will be held at Currumbin Alley on Sunday.

Each surfer will be given standard surfing time out on the waves – first and second places in area heats in each pool progress to the regional finals which brings together the best riders out of each pool.

The Regional Challenges will be held at Kawana Beach (Sunshine Coast) and at a still to be announced venue on the Gold Coast on the weekend of August 6-7.