Celebrating our partnership with Surfest Newcastle

We are proud and excited to welcome another year of our partnership with Surfest Newcastle.

Newcastle Surfest is the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere, drawing more than 800 male and female competitors from across the globe to compete across nine events throughout February and March 2026. The festival culminates with the final event of the World Surf League Challenger Series from March 9–15.

We recognise the contribution Surfest Newcastle has made to the Hunter Region, as it embodies a celebration of locale and community. After working together for the past nine years, we are continuing our partnership to support the next generation of local surfers through the Westfield Encouragement Award. This award is provided to three youth surfers who represent not only the best in surfing talent but also the spirit of the Newcastle community, helping to support them financially as they compete in future surfing competitions across Australia.

2026:

The winners of the Westfield Encouragement award were Jack Yarrow, Kalani Britt and Hayden Mee

2025:

The winners of the Westfield Encouragement award were Jack Yarrow, Olivia Smith and Hayden Mee

2024:

The winners of the Westfield Encouragement award were Kade Kelly, Kyla Renes and Ocean Lancaster

About Surfest Newcastle

Newcastle Surfest began in 1985 as a bold move to show the world Newcastle’s stunning beaches and surf breaks. Starting as the richest professional surfing competition on the planet, Surfest has grown into Australia’s largest surfing festival, drawing surfers and fans from across the Asia-Pacific.

Originally held at Newcastle Beach, the event permanently moved to the iconic Merewether Beach in 2007. Its famous right-handers have launched the careers of legends like Mark Richards, a four-time world champion, and Kelly Slater, who claimed a Surfest crown in 2004. Merewether was named one of Australia’s national surfing reserves in 2009, cementing its status as a world-class surf destination.

Surfest champions read like a who’s who of world surfing: Mick Fanning, Tom Carroll, Occy, Stephanie Gilmore, Sally Fitzgibbons, Rebecca Woods and Pam Burridge, among others. The festival has even gone mobile, running competitions inside Newcastle Harbour when extreme conditions demanded it, proving its innovation and flexibility.

More than a competition, Surfest celebrates Newcastle, its people, and Australian beach culture. Through live webcasts, the world can see how the city has reinvented itself, offering non-stop surfing action in one of Australia’s most beautiful settings.

Newcastle Surfest, features multiple events including the High School Challenge, Cadet Cup, Newcastle Pro Junior, Indigenous Classic, Evolution Charity Cup, Super Sunday and the Surfest Challenger Series. Surfest 2026 continues this legacy, showcasing male and female surfers and the next generation of talent in the World Surf League Challenger Series.

Find out more about Newcastle Surfest here >