Its reputation as a surfers' paradise has earned it the nickname Hawaii of the North. Yesterday, the Scottish island of Tiree lived up to the hype as the 2008 world cup of the waves got well under way.

Its reputation as a surfers' paradise has earned it the nickname Hawaii of the North. Yesterday, the Scottish island of Tiree lived up to the hype as the 2008 world cup of the waves got well under way.

The Tiree Wave Classic has seen more than 50 competitors descend on the island's rugged coastline to compete for one of the most sought-after prizes in world windsurfing.

Now in its 22nd year, Scotland's premier watersports event has attracted more than 600 people to the remote western isle, almost doubling the local population.

Organisers hope that the competition, which will end on October 18, would draw attention to some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery and showcase the best professional windsurfing in the world.

Gordon Ritchie, director of event organisers GMFCo Ltd, said: "The Tiree Wave Classic is now in its 22nd year and is the significant economic driver for Tiree and for Scotland. The island is a stunning location for the competition, and its diverse natural assets help to put Scotland on the map. "

The men's championship was won yesterday by 31-year-old John Skye, from England.

At the close of the day's competition local entrant and last year's winner Scotty McDowall, from Troon, was making good progress in the amateur category.

Donald Melville, development manager at Highland and Island Enterprise, which is part funding the event with Argyll and Bute Council and Event Scotland, said it provided a welcome boost to Scottish visitor spending.

This year the Wave Classic has been expanded to include a triathlon, the Coll Challenge, on October 14. Organisers say the race, which involves running, wind-surfing and mountain biking, is the most remote adventure sports challenge in the UK.