Surfest will draw more than 900 surfers from 30 countries to an event now spread over three months of elite junior, women's, men's, team and indigenous events.
Organiser Warren Smith launched the latest iteration of the 35-year-old surfing tournament in Newcastle on Thursday, on the eve of this weekend's teams challenge.
Surfest began in December with junior wildcard trials at Redhead and ends with the finals of the men's and women's professional events at Merewether on March 8.
The NSW government says the festival is expected to attract more than 1600 visitors and generate at least $2.1 million in spending.
Surfest's main events are among the top-rated in the World Qualifying Series, where surfers try to qualify for the elite Championship Tour, though the World Surf League has introduced a Challenger Series sitting above the WQS this year.
Championship Tour surfers Jadson Andre (Brazil), Leonardo Fioravanti (Italy) and Merewether's Ryan Callinan have entered Surfest.
Surfest includes the Redhead Pump under-18s concert on February 8, Drop festival at Bar Beach on March 7 and Barrelled food and drink festival on March 7 and 8.
SURFEST SCHEDULE
February 1-2: ORICA Teams Challenge, Stockton beach
February 8-9: Lake Mac City Pro Jnr WSL JQ1000 boys and girls, Redhead beach
February 8: Redhead Pump, under-18s music event, Webb Park, Redhead
February 21: Surfest/Hunter Business Golf Group Golf Day, Horizons Golf Resort
February 22-23: Sanbah Cadet Cup, South Bar beach
February 27-28: Go Kindy High School Teams Challenge, Merewether beach
February 29-March 1: Wandiyali Indigenous Classic, Merewether beach
March 2-8: Surfest Newcastle Pro WSL QS 5000, Merewether beach
March 2-8: Doyle Partners Women's Pro WSL QS5000, Merewether beach
March 6: Evolution Corporate Charity teams Cup for Mark Hughes Foundation, Dixon Park beach
March 7: The Drop Festival, Empire Park, Bar Beach
March 7-8: Barrelled Food Wine and Beer Festival, Jefferson Park, Merewether beach
