Surfest 2010

By Bobbi-Jo // 19 March 2010 // Comments: 1 // Related Categories: Best Backpacker Job, special event, Surfing, Things to do

Remember how I “learned to surf” at Bondi Beach a while back?

Well, I’m pleased to report that I’m MUCH better at watching surfing than I am at actually doing it.

Well, actually, I’m a little better. After a few emergency texts to a friend and a great chat with Luke, the Editor of Tracks Magazine, I knew enough to understand what I was watching at the 25th Annual Newcastle Surfest.

I think.

But this is Newcastle’s biggest surfing tournament and one of the first to offer pro-surfers big prizes for taking the top spot back in the day. While some of the luster has faded from the main event, it still draws big names and great upcoming talent. Wilson got to meet former world champion Sunny Garcia and I spent a few minutes chatting with Omer Bar, the only Israeli surfer entered to compete.

Surfest, a little like its host city, is a bit underrated. There weren’t huge crowds, even as Sunny Garcia entered the water to as a part of his comeback attempt, but that might have been due to the weather. Even with less than ideal waves and some unwelcome clouds floating around, Surfest was a great way to spend a few days. That may or may not have been due to the eye candy walking around. But if you’re into quality surfing and access to the competitors without the maddening crowds, Surfest is a great place to park your beach towel.

I met a bunch of fun people in Newcastle, as well. It’s the first biggish city if you’re heading north out of Sydney, so it’s a natural place for backpackers to stop. There isn’t a ton of organized stuff to do there, but there are several beaches, walks and popular streets that you can take in and decompress in case Sydney was a bit hectic for you.

Newcastle will also always affectionately be known as the place I experienced my first earthquake.

And by that I mean, slept through tremors from a quake farther away. But, hey! That’s the closest I’ve ever been, so it counts.

Local haunts like The Brewery, with a trivia night and steady stream of live music, will keep you busy and give you an opportunity to mix with locals and backpackers, and Wednesday night is a great night for deals on drinks and food. A cool, if-not-a-little-quirky arts and theater scene is also a draw.

So even though it’s not the actual home of the beer, Newcastle, and Surfest if you time it right, are well worth a stop-over as you’re headed up the coast!

Can't get enough?

And also keep an eye on YouTube and Flickr!