Surfest will return to Newcastle Beach for the first time in almost two decades as part of a revamped crowdfunding campaign that saw 33 local businesses throw their support behind a World Surf League Qualifying Series 1000-point event.
The EJE Men’s Pro and Genesis Health + Fitness Women’s Pro will get underway on Thursday at Newcastle Beach, with the event champions to be crowned on Saturday afternoon.
EJE Architecture and Genesis Health + Fitness was selected at random as the event’s naming rights partner back in January as part of a now 10-year long crowdfunding campaign.
Director at EJE Architecture, Anthony Furniss, expressed his excitement to continue their support of Surfest again in 2025.
EJE is proud to be involved in the Surfest crowdfunding initiative, and honoured to have been named the naming rights partner for the Men’s Pro.
As a business with a long rich history in the Hunter, we’re proud to be part of a business community that gets behind local events and is supporting the next generation.
“Approaching our 50th year serving the Hunter, we’re particularly proud of the significant buildings and infrastructure we’ve designed and delivered that reflect our dedication to the local community.
John Pirlo, Managing Director and Franchisee of the Pirlo Group of Genesis Health + Fitness Clubs, shared his enthusiasm for the sponsorship.
“Being a sponsor of this great event is important to us to support and nurture talent in and out of the water,” Pirlo said.
“As a proud Novocastrian, I love seeing our community come together to celebrate sport, fitness, and determination. We’re excited to cheer on all competitors, as they take on the waves.”
Event Director, Warren Smith, said running an event at Newcastle had been on the cards since the announcement of the World Surf League’s Burton Automotive Newcastle Surfest Challenger Series, to take place at Merewether from June 2-8.
“Newcastle Beach was where it all started for Surfest back in 1985 and was our home until we shifted to the fabled Merewether break on finals day in 2006,” Smith said.
“This location holds a special place in the memories of many Newcastle locals and the broader surfing community.
“With the support of the local business community, we’re able to return an event to Newcastle and showcase another iconic piece of our local coastline.
The event, which is the penultimate stop on this year’s regional Qualifying Series (QS), has attracted entries from across the region, with a full field of 80 men and 32 women to pull on the rashie later this week.
Among those competing is previous Surfest winners, Jackson Baker, Phillipa Anderson, and Julian Wilson, along with Olympic skateboarding sensation and twice XGames gold medalist, Sky Brown.
Lord Mayor, Dr Ross Kerridge, said the level of talent choosing to visit Newcastle reflected its significance as a surf destination.
“Newcastle is fortunate to have world-renowned surf breaks and our reputation as a premier surf destination was only enhanced when we hosted the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup in 2021,” Cr Kerridge said.
“It’s great to see a World Surf League event returning to beautiful Newcastle Beach, the original home of Surfest, a competition that City of Newcastle has sponsored from the beginning.”
Newcastle Surfest is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
The final day of the event on Saturday will be broadcast live via the World Surf League’s YouTube channel, and Surfest social media platforms.
The EJE Men’s Pro and Genesis Health + Fitness Women’s Pro has been made possible with the support of the Newcastle business community, along with major partners, City of Newcastle, Burton Automotive, Port of Newcastle, Destination NSW, Queens Wharf Hotel, and Byron Bay Brewery.
