Organisers of the ITM Kahawai World Cup Surfcasting Bonanza at Papamoa Beach are assuring competition entrants the event is still going ahead on March 16-18.

The Rotary Club of Papamoa and the Western Bay Surf Casting Club are running the event and they say rumours of a cancellation are untrue.

Fishers stretch along Papamoa Beach in last year's ITM Kahawai World Cup Surfcasting Competition.

More than 350 anglers entered the event in 2011 and organisers are expecting more this year with good prizes on offer. The first prize for heaviest kahawai caught during the weekend competition is $10,000, with a total prize pool of $20,000.

The competition format sees entrants with up to four chances to win a share of the $10,000 prize as there is a new team event – maximum four people per team.

Competitors in the team event are eligible for this prize as well as the WBSC trophy filled with another $1000 cash, plus a one day luxury fishing trip for your team.

For those that enter before the end of January, they also have a chance of winning the early bird prize of an LG 42" Cinema 3D Smart TV.

Enter the competition at www.kahawaiworldcup.com