Two inaugural events targeted at surfing champions – The Reflections Holiday Parks Cadet Cup and the Burton Automotive Pro Junior – have been added to the Surfest schedule for 2024.
These new events will see the 38th Surfest offer a total of eight stand-alone competitive surfing events between February 10 and March 17 next year.
Organisers anticipate approximately 700 athletes from the Australia/Oceania region will surf in the eight events.
The Reflections Holiday Parks Cadet Cup will be the first ever Surfest event held outside the Hunter region, and the addition of the event will further enhance Surfest’s contribution to the visitor economy across three NSW local government areas – Newcastle, Port Stephens, and Port Macquarie-Hastings.
Long term sponsors the Burton Family have increased their support to Surfest with the addition of the inaugural Burton Automotive Pro Junior – a World Surf League Junior Qualifying Series event for surfers aged 20 years and under – scheduled for Birubi beach over the weekend of February 24 and 25.
NSW Minister for Tourism John Graham says Surfest’s eight competitive events over a five-week period will see local, national, and international surfers, their families and supporters enhancing the NSW visitor economy.
Foundation Partner City of Newcastle will again be one of Surfest’s key sponsors. That sponsorship ensures a high-quality webcast of the two WSL QS 5,000 events based at Merewether beach will be streamed to viewers around the globe to highlight Newcastle’s beaches, cultural activities and night-time attractions.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says the City of Newcastle views Surfest as an outstanding promotion for the city that delivers a significant economic boost to Newcastle businesses, restaurants, cafes and accommodation providers.
“As the proud foundation sponsor, City of Newcastle has enjoyed a long and valuable relationship with Surfest, which showcases the city’s iconic surf breaks while ensuring local businesses benefit from the influx of people to its month-long series of events,” Nuatali said.
“We look forward to once again welcoming the surfers, their supporters and sporting fans to our city and encourage them to explore everything Newcastle has to offer while they are here.”
The full Surfest schedule can be found on their website.
IMAGE | Surfest crowd at Merewether Beach (Image credit: Claudia Cossettini).
