It’s not every day you see a dude wearing overalls, with a toothpick in his mouth, and playing a banjo on the sand.

But that’s what you’ll get at the 2009 Volcom Stone Totally Crustaceous Surfing Championships in Newport Beach this weekend at 54th Street.

About 200 surfers – pros and amateurs – came from around the world to compete in the contest, which started today and runs through Sunday.

It was quite a sight on the beach – stacks of hay were laid out in the contest area, along with horseshoes and slingshots for spectators to play with. Signs reading things like “Trespass n’ get shot” were set up, and the announcer sounds like he came straight off the inbred farm up yonder in a “hollar” of West Virginia.

But despite the relaxed mood of the event, the contest offers competitors big bucks, with a $50,000 prize purse — $10,000 of which will go to the winner.

Surfers on Friday had to deal with wind-whipped, choppy and messy waves under overcast skies.

Adam Lambert, of Santa Barbara, came out of the water frustrated with the conditions. “It’s hard out there,” he said.

Chris Friend, of Australia, said conditions were tough – but the event itself is a good time. “You get caught up in how much fun it is, you forget there’s $10,000 on the line,” said Friend, who is sponsored by Volcom.

Teppei Tajima, of Japan, said conditions were tough, but similar to his hometown. “I couldn’t get a good one,” he said after his heat. “No matter what the results, I had a lot of fun.”

When: The contest runs until 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and 4 p.m. on Sunday

Where: 54th street in Newport Beach