After a COVID-19 hiatus, Newcastle’s prestigious surfing event, Surfest, will return bigger and better in 2022.
That’s the promise from long-time organiser Warren Smith, who launched the 36th edition of the much-loved extravaganza at The Prince of Merewether on Thursday 10 March.
“It’s on… finally,” he said with a big smile.
“You don’t know how happy that makes me.
“All up, we’ll be hosting nine pro and amateur competitions, with a few surprises thrown in.
“It is a great feeling.”
One of the additions to the program in 2022 will be the opening leg of the inaugural all-female series, the Challenge Her Team’s Classic.
Newcastle will host round one on Monday 28 March, with the final two stages at Kiama (30 April) and Lennox head (3 July).
“We’re delighted to welcome this initiative to the calendar,” Smith said.
“I believe it’s a world-first – and another piece of history for Surfest.
“The series aims to increase female participation and support across the state through three events that focus on fun, skills development and community.
“What better place to kick it all off than Newcastle?”
All the action starts from this weekend with the Lake Mac City Pro Junior at Redhead Beach.
It provides a terrific opportunity for the Hunter’s best up-and-coming surfers to contest an international event and experience competition at the highest level.
“I can’t tell you how pleased and excited we are to be able to hold the prestigious Lake Mac Pro for men and women again on a City of Lake Macquarie beach,” Smith said.
“This event is very important to the future of professional surfing in Australia.
“With equal prizemoney on offer, we’re setting the trend for parity before anyone else.
“I’m extremely grateful to the hard-working crew at City of Lake Macquarie who have been incredible supporters of surfing and Surfest in recent years.
“Thank you also to mayor Kay Fraser and the councillors as we look forward to taking the Lake Mac Pro into 2022 and beyond.”
The two drawcards, however, are the City of Newcastle Pro presented by Burton Automotive and the AAP Consulting Women’s Pro, hopefully at Merewether Beach, between 29 March and 3 April.
The former is a World Surf League (WSL) QS 5000 Pro with prizemoney totalling $50,000, while the latter – crowd-funded by the local business community – will celebrate its sixth year.
“The City of Newcastle Pro boasts a rich pro surfing history,” Smith said.
“The honour roll includes a stellar list of past world champions such as Tom Carroll, Barton Lynch, Damien Hardman, Mark Occhilupo, Kelly Slater, Tom Curren and Joel Parkinson.
“So, to be a partner with the City of Newcastle and the Burton family and Burton Automotive again is amazing.
“Their show of confidence in Surfest, Newcastle and the wider Hunter Valley has always been unwavering.
“We cannot wait to showcase this event globally via www.surfest.com.
“As for the WSL-rated QS5000 AAP Consulting Women’s Pro, well that’s the community’s event, thanks to the crowdfunding concept.
“That will feature the richest prizemoney for the women in the history of Surfest as well as the largest field of competitors in the main draw.
“A huge thanks to everyone who supported this unique event.”
2022 SURFEST PROGRAM
- Saturday 19 February: Lake Mac City Pro Junior Trials
- Saturday 26 February: Burton Automotive Surfest Wildcard Trials 2022
- Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 March: Lake Mac City Pro Junior (Redhead Beach)
- Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 March: Sanbah Cadet Cup supported by Ocean and Earth South (Bar Beach)
- Thursday 24 – Friday 25 March: Surfest High Schools Team Challenge (Merewether Beach)
- Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 March: Wandiyali Indigenous Classic (Merewether Beach)
- Tuesday 29 March – Sunday 3 April: City of Newcastle Pro presented by Burton Automotive (Merewether Beach)
- Tuesday 29 March – Sunday 3 April: AAP Consulting Women’s Pro (Merewether Beach)
- Friday 1 April: Evolution Charity Cup supporting Mark Hughes Foundation
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