Merewether Beach, NSW/AUS (Saturday, 24 May, 2014)
JUST three months after the success of the 29th Surfest, organisers are listening to a wide range of supporters about how the event can best celebrate both its heritage and its future in 2015.
With a who’s who of surfing on the Newcastle event’s male and female champion honour board listing large over the past three decades – including Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Tom Curren, Tom Carrolll, Mark Occhilupo, Joel Parkinson, Sally Fitzgibbon, Stephanie Gilmore, Pam Burridge, Coco Ho, Silvana Lima and Wendy Botha to name but a few – Surfest organisers recognise there is an expectation from supporters that there will be something special looming on the horizon for next February’s 30th anniversary.
Event chief Warren Smith said Surfest’s 30th anniversary is something supporters in the Newcastle region can be rightfully proud of.
“We have had incredible support from a wide range of organisations over the last 30 years and we intend to recognise that in our anniversary celebrations. Of course it is the surfers that make the event, but it is our sponsors and supporters who have made it all happen,” Mr Smith said.
He said that while some commercial arrangements are already in place for next year, sponsorship for all aspects and events scheduled for the 2015 Surfest are yet to be confirmed.
“We are really looking forward to the 30th anniversary, and the Surfest team are already knocking on doors of potential sponsors to ensure Surfest presents top level competitions for both men and women as well as for all of the other events that make Surfest a unique surfing festival that enjoys a wide array of community involvement.
One of the events that require a major sponsor in 2015 is the women’s event. Hunter Ports reinvigorated the event to six-star status in 2012 and have backed it for the past three years.
“Hunter Ports have provided terrific support over the past three years to ensure the women’s event saw the world’s female best surfers come to Newcastle, but that sponsorship arrangement has now concluded.
“Surfest wishes to thank Hunter Ports for their commitment from 2012-2014 because the event would never have enjoyed the participation of elite female surfers during that time without their support,” Mr Smith said.
For further info contact Warren Smith on 0412127525.
