Andrew Stoner MP Deputy Premier of NSW Minister for Tourism & Major Events MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 29 July 2014 30 YEARS OF SURFEST IN NEWCASTLE Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Andrew Stoner has announced another two years of NSW Government support for one of the world’s oldest professional surfing events, Newcastle’s Surfest. Mr Stoner said Surfest would celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2015 and the NSW Government would continue to support the renowned surfing competition as part of its commitment to growing professional surfing events. “Surfest continues to draw thousands of surf-fans to Newcastle each February, with this year’s event seeing close to 2,900 visitors from outside the region generating more than $1.2 million in visitor expenditure for the local economy,” Mr Stoner said. “Surfest has attracted some of the world’s best surfing talent thanks to its Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series events, including the six-star rated Burton Toyota Pro and the Women’s Classic. “Past competitors have included Taj Burrow and Joel Parkinson, and current world number two Sally Fitzgibbons and reigning World Champion Carissa Moore. “NSW is now home to two ASP World Qualifying events: Manly’s Australian Open of Surfing and Surfest. Both events are huge summer drawcards for international competitors and fans alike.” Member for Newcastle Tim Owen said Surfest was important to the local economy and community. “Surfest brings significant national and international media coverage to Newcastle each year and webcast facilities allow people across the world to see some of the world’s top surfers battle it out at stunning Merewether Beach,” Mr Owen said. “It is particularly special that next year we will be celebrating 30 successful years of Surfest, from its inception as the BHP Steel International in 1985 when it was the richest professional surfing event in the world, to now being a fixture of the ASP World Qualifying Series. “Newcastle is a great coastal city and its accessibility by air and its beautiful beaches make it a perfect location for an international sporting event like Surfest.” For more information about Surfest, go to visitnsw.com. .