“The bowling club [where the event is held] sold more beer than ANZAC day,” said organiser Adam Loxley.

After spending years on the beach watching surfers compete in the Slash, Mr Loxley felt there should be a music event to keep the atmosphere going once everyone was out of the water.

“I’ve made it a policy the festival should always tap into local bands [and] bands that do originals,” he said. “There’s lots of great talent around.”

All artists hail from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven and include 19-Twenty, Mac Tango, Dane Overton, Tropical Wax and Kingdog & the Catz.

The afternoon line-up is said to be “laid back and groovy” while the music ramps up in the evening, “more towards the rock end”.

“It’s the first major music event I’ve organise and I really want to see it grow,” said Mr Loxley.

He said there was so much good will from Gerringong businesses and the community in it’s first year while there are already plans for next year to take the production and size up another notch.

The Werri Slash runs all day on May 14 at Werri Beach, the Surf Music Festival runs from 1pm to midnight at the Gerringong Bowling Club on Pacific Avenue.

Other activities include barefoot bowls and vintage surfboard display.