STORMS caused some blackouts on Phuket overnight, but the hope is that the Island Crown surfing title at Kata beach will go ahead without problems on Saturday and Sunday.

A good crowd and a strong field turned out on Friday for the heats. There were some striking images as riders caught waves against a backdrop of Kata's rock formations and Crab Island.

Competitors have come from Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hawaii, and the US to see how they fare against a growing number of local surfers.

This weekend's events at Kata follow those at Kalim (June 12-14) and at Kamala (July14-16) and will conclude the Quiksilver Thailand Surf Series 2009.

Competition on Sunday will be followed by an awards party at the Kata Beach Resort, which will include a poolside fashion show, food, drinks, the presentations and one of Bangkok's hottest bands.

On the power front, blackouts were experienced in Samkong in Phuket City last night and again this morning, with powerful squally weather driving storms across the island.

A large tree collapsed on powerlines outside Vachira Public Hospital in Yaowarat Road, Phuket City, and several sections of the metal roof at the Supercheap store in Thepkasattri Road were blown down, without injuries.

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