Surfest will welcome another current world champion to Newcastle next month with Tyler Wright among a host of big names announced at Thursday’s official event launch for 2018.
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Wright, who sealed back-to-back world championships in Hawaii on November 30, was confirmed to start in the women’s draw alongside two-time Surfest winner Sally Fitzgibbons, new-mother Alana Blanchard and Hunter hope Philippa Anderson.
The 23-year-old’s brother Owen, former WSL leader Matt Wilkinson, two-time world junior champion Jack Freestone and local chance Ryan Callinan were listed in the men’s section.
Wright now joins the likes of Stephanie Gilmore, Joel Parkinson (2013), Layne Beachley, Andy Irons (2004), CJ Hobgood (2002), Kelly Slater (1995, 1998, 1999), Damien Hardman (1992) and Freida Zamba (1986) as surfers to attend the 33-year-old competition directly after claiming the international crown.
Some of those appearances at Surfest were cameos for exhibition or expression sessions, rather than actual heats.
Others have graced Merewether’s summer waves before going onto clinch the ultimate prize later down the track, including Adriano De Souza, Mick Fanning, Mark Occhilupo, Pam Burridge and inaugural Surfest winners Tom Curren and Wendy Botha.
While a few already had that sought-after piece of silverware in the kit bag – Barton Lynch and Tom Carroll among them.
It’s part of an impressive guest book, but even Surfest organiser Warren Smith admits having those individuals actually holding the trophy in Newcastle for the annual contest didn’t happen every season.
“To have the current defending world champion here is great and says a lot about Surfest,” Smith said. “It will be good to see the Wright family here.”
Wright siblings Tyler and Owen will have brother Mikey in the newly-formed longboard classic while sister Kirby triumphed overall eight years ago.
Smith said he was also looking forward to welcoming back Blanchard and Freestone, parents to six-week-old son Harvey.
Six-time world champion and 2008 Surfest winner Stephanie Gilmore remains an uncertain starter according to Smith.
Surfest opens at Redhead this weekend with various stand-up paddleboard events.
Meanwhile and six clubs, including the Wright’s home base of Culburra, have been granted wildcards for next month’s Australian Boardriders Battle final at Newcastle Beach.
