About Surfest Newcastle Australia 2023
Surfest acknowledges the traditional country of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples. We respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing relationship with the land, and recognise that they are the proud survivors of more than two hundred years of dispossession.
Surfest Newcastle, Australia will celebrate its 37th anniversary in 2023. The event is the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere with a large number national and international male and female competitors, from more across the Asia-Pacific region competing in the event.
In 2023, Surfest Newcastle, Australia is possible through the enduring support of Burton Automotive, the NSW government and Destination NSW, the City of Newcastle, Reflections Holiday Parks and a combination of crowd-funding businesses within the Newcastle and Hunter business community, Lake Macquarie City Council, Sanbah Surf and Surfest’s many media partners and supporting and supplying sponsors.
The event features international fields of competitive surfers in the World Surf League Men’s Qualifying Series 5000 point Burton Automotive Pro, the World Surf League Women’s Qualifying Series 5000 point Speaking in Colour Womens Pro, and the Lake Mac City Pro Junior a World Surf League Qualifying Series 1000 point event. There are a number of complementary surfing events that enhance the festival.
Surfest Newcastle Australia 2023 will commence on 11th February, 2023 with the Lake Mac City Pro wildcard trials on Redhead Beach and will conclude on the 5th of March, 2023 at Merewether Beach, where the male and female champions of the our prestigious WSL QS5000 events will add their names to an enviable list of winners.
Merewether Beach was crowned a national surfing reserve in 2009 and is home to festival patron and Australia’s most accomplished men’s world professional surfing champion, Mark Richards (1979-82). The four-time world champion was voted as the most influential Australian surfer (1963-2013) at Surfing Australia’s 50th anniversary.
