The 87th instalment of the women's bowls state carnival commenced on Monday morning under surprisingly clear, blue skies.

It was just 24 hours after Port City president Judy Brady called on a bit of help from the heavens and those in the know were obviously listening.

Westport Bowling Club's Margaret Coombes attended her third state carnival after she missed last year's due to sickness.

Westport led North Haven Bowling Club 17-8 on Monday morning in the first of three days' sectional play.

The finals will be held on Friday at Port City Bowling Club.

Coombes also made a comment about the weather and said the greens at Wauchope were in pristine condition.

"It's good to see the sun out for a change and the greens are running very smoothly," Coombes said.

Women’s Bowls NSW chief executive officer Melanie Cantwell was in the Hastings for the first time after she took up the role last year.

She said all clubs around the Hastings would benefit from playing on all of the greens from Lake Cathie to Kew and out to Wauchope.

Bowlers would benefit from playing on the synthetic green at North Haven.

"It's better for bowlers and their clubs to get the benefits of having 80 people go to their clubs for three different days," Cantwell said.

"That way all the clubs can make money and we don't have people complaining about having to travel too much while some others don't have to travel at all.

"It's a better way to do it."

Cantwell said the carnival was about social interaction and the longevity of it was testament to the sport.

"When it's been going for 87 years you know you're onto a good thing," she said.

"Bowls is a sport for life because you can play it as you get older and it keeps you active."

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council mayor Peter Besseling said it was yet another opportunity to showcase the area at a state event level.

He said he was lucky it was a carnival for women.

"It's a very long way down to the ground for me so I'm lucky," he said.