Newcastle’s Surfest 2013 barrels into town

by Leah Henkel on February 6, 2013

Surfest, Australia’s largest surfing event with over 800 national and international surfers competing during the 12 day contest, will leave Merewether Beach all but inundated by surfing fans and those wishing to see some good ‘ol fashioned competition. In it’s 28^th year, Surfest has grown from its humble beginnings in 1985 to include two hot main events, the men’s Burton Toyota Pro and women’s Hunter Ports Women’s Classic. Various distinct events involving other groups of the surfing community will also be included in the February 13-24 event.

As the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere, it is easy to see why world champions flock to our local beaches.  The “Mayor of Merewether” and beach patron Mark Richards calls it home, and the sought after trophy named after this local legend has many famous names etched onto its face. Mick Fanning, Tom Carroll, Mark Occhilupo, Tom Curren and 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater have all held the top honour at Surfest. While surfing royalty has graced this competition in the past, it is shaping up to look just as inviting this year.

Big name Australian surfers will keep the Australian flag flying high, including surfing legend Mark Occhilupo. The $US155,000 prize pool in the Burton Toyota Pro will ensure fierce competition between surfing rivals to take out the title and bragging rights for a year. Recently crowned World Champion Joel Parkinson will look to keep his winning streak going to take out his first ever Surfest, the event creating a fantastic training ground for the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks in March.

Five time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore will want to emulate her 2008 win at Merewether Beach in the Hunter Ports Women’s Classic with $US40,000 up for grabs. She will have some stiff competition from fellow Aussie Sally Fitsgibbons, who is ranked number two in the world and won the Women’s Classic last year.

It isn’t all about top billed surfers though. Events like the Burton Toyota Pro Junior will highlight some of the surfers that will be winning professional titles in the future. With a prize pool of $13,000, it is making the Australian Pro Junior circuit’s future a bit more bright after some difficulties finding sponsorship. The Indigenous Classic and Newcastle NOW’s High School Challenge will also attract a varied audience than just avid surfing fans.

The event timetable for the 2013 Newcastle Australia Surfest is as follows:

Wandiyali ATSI Indigenous Classic: February 13

Burton Toyota Pro Junior: February 14-17

Sanbah Cadet Cup: February 15-17

Burton Toyota Pro and Hunter Ports Women’s Classic Trials: February 17

Hunter Ports Women’s Classic: February 18-24

Burton Toyota Pro: February 18-24

Westfield Kotara Triple O Challenge: February 20

Lifeguard Challenge: February 21

Newcastle NOW High School Team Challenge: February 21-22

Lawler Financial Services Surfaid Corporate Cup: February 22

Visitnsw.com Airshow: February 23

Hunter Water Stars of the Future: February 24

Miss Surfest 2013 National Final: February 24

For more information about the event, visit the Surfest website.