Matt Hoy

Surfest - A Newcastle Icon

From Main Beach to Merewether, Newcastle is engrossed in surfing history as the city is home to iconic surfers like Mark Richards and Matt Hoy, as well as a current talent pool that includes Ryan Callinan, Jacko Baker and Morgan Cibilic. Each year this core surfing community is represented on the big stage through one of the world’s most iconic surfing festivals – Surfest.

Started in 1985, the event was the first ever live televised surf contest and it’s become the pinnacle of the Newcastle event calendar as each year thousands flock to the steel city to get a glimpse of the world’s best surfers in action.

Tracks decided to see what makes this surfing city so special and why Novocastrian’s wear their badge with pride.

This is ‘Surfest - A Newcastle Icon’, check it out above.

Filmed and edited: @physcialglobe
Presented by: Jake Stolte

In partnership with Destination NSW.

Here's all the winners from the 2024 Australia Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame

Luke Egan’s induction into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame headlined a spectacular celebration of Australian surfing talent at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast tonight. The Newcastle native and former World Tour surfer was honoured for his remarkable 22-year career on the ASP/World Surf League Championship Tour, which included four event wins and a runner-up finish in the 2000 World Title race. Egan was presented the award by good friend Matt Hoy and joined by fellow legends Joel Parkinson, Mark “Occy” Occhilupo, and Mark Richards for a sit-down interview, where he reflected on his career and expressed gratitude for being recognised alongside his heroes.

The night also celebrated Australia’s elite surfing achievements, with Olympians and World Tour surfers Jack Robinson and Molly Picklum named Male and Female Surfer of the Year, respectively. Dane Henry received the Mick Fanning Rising Star Award, while Sierra Kerr was honoured with the Stephanie Gilmore Rising Star Award. Jocelyn Neumueller and Kai Colless were recognised as the Female and Male Para Surfers of the Year, respectively.

Surfing legend Layne Beachley was honoured with Surfing Australia Life Membership for her extraordinary contributions to the sport. A seven-time World Champion and the only surfer to win six consecutive titles, Beachley’s legacy extends beyond competition. As former Chair of Surfing Australia and a long-time advocate for women’s surfing, she championed pay equity, improved events, and greater opportunities for future generations.

Tasmanian photographer Nick Green captured big wave surfer Laura Enever during “one of the gnarliest wipeouts” at Shipstern Bluff to win Surf Photo of the Year. Soli Baileytook home the Heavy Water Award and, along with Chris Peel, won Surf Clip of the Year. The Surf Film of the Year was awarded to Jay Phillips Isn’t Dead.

Jordie Campbell was awarded the Indigenous Surfing Community Celebration Award. The Greater Good Award went to the Surfrider Foundation, Breakthrough Surf Brand of the Year was Rivvia Projects, and Shaper of the Year went to Darren Handley.

Renowned surf media icon Vaughan Blakey hosted the event, which recognised the outstanding achievements of athletes and contributors across 20 award categories. Held for the first time at the iconic HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast, the awards celebrated not only surfing champions but also individuals excelling in media, business, and innovation, highlighting the depth of talent and dedication within Australian surfing.

The Australian Surfing Awards is proudly supported by ACCIONA, Jim Beam, Tracks, Surfers for Climate, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), Zuum Energy Gum, Hyundai She’s Electric, the Hyundai High-Performance Centre (HPC), and Surfing Australia High-Performance Program.

Luke Egan and Friends at the Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame

Listen to the panel discussion hosted by Vaughan Blakey featuring 2024 Australian Surfing Hall of Fame inductee Luke Egan with Matt Hoy, Mark Richards, Joel Parkinson & Mark "Occy" Occhilupo.

This is the raw chat from the 2024 Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame, where Luke Egan was officially inducted on December 7th 2024

Boardslide Worldwide Australia

A road trip to the Holy Bowly Down Undah. From Snapper Rocks and Angourie to The Snowy Mountains of Thredbo all the way down to Bells Beach we surfed, skated, and snowboarded our way down the coast. We met up with Blair Habenicht, Bryan Fox, Joel Paxton, Matt Hoy, Max Tokunaga, Phil Hansen, Forrest Bailey and Miles Fallon to ride the Holy Bowly, skate every park we came across and surf our brains out for the ultimate road trip!

AUSTRALIAN EAST COAST LOW - Newcastle Super Session

With more cooperative winds, conditions today were pretty good with the lingering swell - surfers include Jake Sylvester, Luis Stackhouse, Julian Wilson, Kaine Watts, Jackson Baker, Noah Hamilton, Matt Hoy, Mitchell Ross, Isaac Turner

HOLY BOWLY TRIPPIN' || DOWN UNDER 2019

Five snowboarders, two surfers, fun times road-tripping and at the Bowly Down Under.

Bryan Fox @bryanwfox
Austen Sweetin @austensweetin
Joel Paxton @joelpaxton
Andy James @and_jam
Miles Fallon @miles_falcon
Matt Hoy @hoy666