Surfest is one of the region's premier sporting events, and for the first time Redhead Beach will host the inaugural longboard challenge on February 14 and 15 next year.

Event chief Warren Smith said Surfest organisers are very excited to have the longboard challenge as part of Surfest 2015, and to be bringing the event to Lake Macquarie.

"To expand Surfest into Lake Macquarie is something we've been looking forward to doing for a while now," Mr Smith said.

"This event will enhance the reputation of Redhead Beach as a vibrant and consistent surfing location, while adding significant economic returns for the local economy."

Lake Macquarie mayor Jodie Harrison said the iconic event is a great opportunity for Lake Macquarie.

"It is particularly special [because] next year Surfest will be celebrating 30 successful years of the event, 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," Ms Harrison said.