Surfest in Newcastle

This marks the 25th year of Surfest, run on the New South Wales central coast. About a 2 hour drive north of Sydney brings you to Newcastle, which lays claim to being the world's largest coal export port and home of 4 time World Champion Mark Richards. Surfest was started back in 1985 to try and shake the grimy industrial image of the city and since then has become Australia's largest surf festival. Past winners include legendary names that include Tom Curren, Occy, Kelly Slater and current World Champ Mick Fanning.

This year's lineup includes current WCT surfers Drew Courtney and Ben Dunn, along with tour veterans Occy, Sunny Garcia and Nathan Hedge. Here's our take on this world class spot:

"Merewether is the southern end of the Bar/Dixon/Park Beach trio. The Ladies' reef works just off the rocks - heavy R breaking on patchy reef and sand. Holds up to 15ft swells (best in 6-8ft) and can get very powerful. Serious local crew with many surfing legends here. If there's solid SE swell head S to Leggy Point and S end of Glenrock Beach to get away from the crowds. On the way there you may see Shallows."

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