Seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley says the event which bears her name could "make or break careers this week" as she attempts to break her own drought and avoid an unwanted record.

The NAB Beachley Classic at Manly is scheduled to start on Tuesday, with five days set aside to complete the richest event on the ASP women's tour.

The fifth of eight events on tour, the $US100,000 ($A111,389) competition offers an extra 20 per cent of ratings points because of its prizemoney.

Sydney-sider Beachley is in the uncharacteristically low position of seventh at the halfway stage of the tour, but hasn't given up hope of winning an eighth world title.

"This event may make or break careers this week and considering we have an extra 20 per cent bonus points definitely gives everybody a boost, especially those guys who finish in the top three," Beachley said.

"I'm not conceding anything."

Beachley has won 29 elite events, but hasn't tasted victory for just over a year.

"The last event I won was in August 2006. Up until then it had been an 18-month break, so I'm getting close to resetting my own record (without a win)," Beachley said.

"It's been a long time between drinks and I'm getting a little bit dehydrated.

"Now I'm number seven in the world and I'm 850 points behind, which is nothing in the scheme of things, so I still feel like I have a great chance.

"It's been a long time since I've been seventh in the world. Even in 2005 when I had to retire hurt, I still finished fifth, so it's ten years since I've been seventh and it's time to turn it all around and fight my way back."

Fellow Australian Samantha Cornish, who currently leads the standings, was adamant she was feeling less pressure than the chasing pack.

"There's no pressure for me, I'm number one but I feel as though I probably have the least amount of pressure on my shoulders," Cornish said.

"The other world title contenders have probably got a lot more pressure. I just think about it as fun and I've got nothing to lose."

Another Australian, reigning world champion Stephanie Gilmore, said she had been pleasantly surprised with her results this year.

Gilmore, who won last year's event at Manly after winning the trials, started this year with a fifth position on the Gold Coast before winning the next event at Bells Beach.

"I'm pretty surprised at my results so far in a good way, being able to not do so well and then redeem myself and get a win," said Gilmore.

She enters this week's contest in fourth spot 204 points behind Cornish and just 36 behind third placed Sofia Mulanovich of Peru.

Beachley was beaten in her own event last year by Gilmore and was hoping to avoid a similar result against Monday's wild card winner, 16-year-old Australian Sally Fitzgibbons, who she will compete against along with another compatriot Claire Bevilacqua.

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