With news of the much anticipated 2.4 million beachside club house being announced only days prior, Ellis Beach were all smiles last Saturday as they hosted the season opener for the FNQ Surf Life Saving Competition.

An overcast early morning was welcomed by competitors as temperatures rose quickly later in the morning when the sun came out in full.

Ellis Beach organisers introduced a new format holding only beach based events in the first of two Ellis Beach Surf Carnival for the year.

One and 2km beach runs kicked off the event with Port Douglas taking out a number of the age groups. 

Beach flags were next and Port Douglas struggled to get on top but showed that the season will be a fiery one with a plethora of top 3's.

Sprints and relays completed the official component of the day and again Port Douglas showed glimmers of excellence but solid placements.

Ellis Beach brought the event to an end with an inaugural team tug off war and novelty sack races.

Port Douglas Junior President Grant Knight said he was "very proud of the Port Douglas club on their first event for the year showing that Queensland's most northern club will again be a force to be reckoned with in the overall championship points."

"Port Douglas kids and adult competitors share a unique thirst for fun and competition which makes us a great club. The club has done very well over the years but welcome more support from the Douglas community in the way of more members and volunteers or simple donations to assist the club moving forward."

The next carnival on the FNQ SLS calendar will to be held at Etty Bay on July 23 and 24.