Biggest fields for years want start at Newcastle's Surfest
Image: www.richardbartlett.com
(Merewether, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 15 February, 2012)
A WHOPPING 201 male surfers from 21 territories have registered their intention to wear a competitor's singlet in the 6-star Burton Toyota Pro set to get underway in Newcastle on March 12.
Athletes from Australia, New Zealand, United States, Hawaii, Chile, Venezuela, Canary Islands, Escardes, France, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Brazil, Portugal, Tahiti, South Africa, Guadulupe, Reunion Island, Peru, Argentina, and Japan have thrown organisers a challenge to fit them into a field that will start with 144 surfers.
Some of the big names intending to head to Newcastle include Aussies Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow, Kai Otton and Adrian Buchan, Hawaiian Fredrick Pattachia, Americans Damien Hobgood, Chris Ward, Gabe Kling and Cory Lopez and former winners of the Mark Richards trophy at Newcastle including Jay Thompson, Glenn Hall and Travis Logie.
The 6-star Hunter Ports Women's Classic has also attracted keen interest, with 81 surfers from 13 territories including Australia, New Zealand, France, Ecuador, South Africa, Hawaii, United States, Reunion Island, Peru, Japan, Argentina, Great Britain and Portugal vying for 60 places in the event.
The world's best women surfers will compete at Newcastle, including world number one Carissa Moore from Hawaii and an Australian trio comprised of world number two Sally Fitzgibbons, world number four Tyler Wright and three–time winner at Newcastle Rebecca Woods.
World number five Silvana Lima from Brazil and world number seven Peruvian Sofia Mulanovich will also compete.
Contest chief Warren Smith said organisers were thrilled with athlete interest.
"Bumping the men's contest up to 6-star status has resulted in the most entries we've had since we've been at Merewether beach," Smith said.
"It's great for Newcastle to have this many surfers wanting to come here.
"But what a great problem to have. This is just a fantastic result for Surfest and for the people of Newcastle," he said.
Smith also attributed the increase in entries to Surfest's incredible history and the aura of event Patron, Mark Richards.
"Surfest is not some fly-by-night event. It's been around forever and some of the greatest names in pro surfing history are engraved on the winner's trophies."
"Every surfer wants to get their name on the winners list and collect the Mark Richards Trophy from MR himself. It's a massive honour," Smith said.
Previous winners at Surfest include Tom Carroll, Mark Occhilupo, Barton Lynch, Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning.
The women's winners list from Surfest is similarly impressive, featuring Wendy Botha, Pauline Menzcer, Pam Burridge and Steph Gilmore.
About the 2012 Surfest Newcastle Australia
The 2012 Surfest Newcastle Australia features the Burton Toyota Pro (Men's ASP 6-Star) and the Hunter Ports Women's Classic (Women's ASP 6-Star), along with eight supporting events. The event is made possible with the support of Burton Toyota, the Hunter Sports Sports Group and the NSW Government through Destination NSW. Surfest Newcastle Australia is conducted over 12 days from March 7-18 at Merewether beach, a recognised Australian National Surfing Reserve. Merewether is home to festival patron and Australia's most accomplished men's world professional surfing champion, four-time world champion Mark Richards (1979-82) and presents the winner a trophy in his likeness. 2012 marks the festival's 27th year and with over 800 national and international competitors, Surfest Newcastle Australia is the largest festival of surfing in the southern hemisphere. Get up-to-the minute updates, photos and interviews, as well as the program of events at surfest.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
