Reigning world champion Joel Parkinson has assured Surfest organisers he will return to Newcastle to defend the prestigious Mark Richards trophy and a share of a whopping $US155000 prize pool on offer in the Burton Toyota Pro.
Parkinson chose Newcastle in 2013 as the venue for his maiden pro-surfing outing as the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) men’s world champion.
Parkinson said his Surfest crown provided him with the perfect start for the competitive year.
"It was an awesome start to 2013 for me to head down to Newcastle and get some great waves and come away with a win. I've been coming down to Surfest for almost 15 years and it was so good to finally crack a win in Newy.
"It is a really special event. Newcastle is such a big surfing city and Surfest captures that vibe really well …it's always been such a cool event because you're made to feel so welcome.
Sunshine Coast surfer Dimity Stoyle has also confirmed she will defend the title she won in the six-star rated Hunter Ports Women’s Classic in 2013.
Stoyle chalked up her first ever ASP event win in Newcastle last February when she upset the 2012 defending champion Sally Fitzgibbons.
Stoyle will commence her rookie year on the elite ASP Women’s World Championship Tour in 2014 where she will join the Top 17 female surfers in the world.
“Winning the event last year really helped me to qualify for the ASP World Tour.
“Newcastle is such a great place the beaches are so close to town, the waves are really good and the people are so friendly,” she said.
Professional surfers from around the globe will descend on Newcastle next February 17-23, with the men vying for the prestigious Mark Richards trophy.
And the best women surfers on the planet will be trying to pocket some of the $40000 up for grabs in the Hunter Ports Women’s Classic.
In addition, an ASP rated event – the Hunter Business Boardriders Pro Junior - will get underway from February 14-16 at Merewether Beach.
Event chief Warren Smith says it is “a real confidence boost” that Burton Family Toyota continues to show its support for the Mark Richards Pro.
“Maitland Toyota has been backing Surfest for a decade now. That’s a remarkable longevity for sponsorship in any sport these days,” he said.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris said: “The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, is proud to support Surfest.
“In 2013, Surfest drove over 2,000 visitors specifically to Newcastle for the event, generating over $1.2 million in visitor expenditure in NSW and playing an important role in contributing to the local economy.”
Minister for Sport, Gabrielle Upton said: “Both Joel Parkinson and Dimity Stoyle bring true Aussie grit to our national sport of surfing and I look forward to following their and others surfers’ performances at 2014 Surfest, which is shaping up to be an unmissable event.”
Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said: “Destination NSW is pleased to get behind Surfest 2014, a world-class surfing event that will not only showcase the sporting prowess of some of the world’s best surfers, but also offer visitors and competitors alike the chance to explore the idyllic beaches and first-class culinary and cultural offerings of the Hunter region.”
For more information please visit www.surfest.com
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