Surfest to Bookend 2025-26 WSL Challenger Series in Stunning Homecoming Twist
So, here’s something massive for the surf world – and especially for us in Australia. The World Surf League just dropped some incredible news this week: Newcastle’s iconic Surfest will open and close the 2025-26 Challenger Series. That’s right – Surfest is back in a big way, taking on double duty as both the first and final stop of the Challenger Series season. And honestly? You can feel the buzz through the sand.
For local legends like Jackson Baker, Ryan Callinan, and Morgan Cibilic – all proudly repping Merewether – this is as personal as it gets. These guys are pushing hard to requalify for the Championship Tour, and having the chance to do it at their home break? It’s the kind of opportunity dreams are made of.
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Baker, who made history in 2022 as the first local men’s Surfest champ, was visibly stoked. “To finish here and make the world tour at your local break would be a dream come true,” he said. You could feel the emotion. He’s already had his moment in the sun once, but now he’s chasing an even bigger goal: a CS win that could put him back on the CT. And with waves pumping at Merewether, he’s right where he needs to be.
Callinan, meanwhile, has had a mixed 2025. A couple of missed CT events – one due to injury, another for the birth of his daughter – meant stepping back into the CS scene. But standing on home sand, back in the water, you can tell he’s ready to roll. “It’s a new adventure,” he said, smiling through the chaos of surf and fatherhood.
And it wasn’t just the guys making headlines. Philippa Anderson – a former Surfest champ herself – cruised through her opening heat. Her relaxed, no-pressure approach was a stark contrast to the cutthroat CS atmosphere, but it worked. And Gold Coast comeback king Julian Wilson? Yep, he’s back too, winning his heat and reminding everyone why he’s a name that never fades.
Then came the finals. Jacob Willcox – Western Australia’s very own – claimed his maiden CS victory in Newcastle. You could see the years of grit and grind pay off. He edged out Olympic medalist Kauli Vaast in a nail-biting final where the ocean barely delivered. “This has been a long time coming,” he said. His smile said it all.
And let’s not forget Francisca Veselko from Portugal, who stole the show in the women’s final. Not only did she take the win over Aussie icon Sally Fitzgibbons, but she also became the first Portuguese woman to win Surfest. A total career-defining moment for her – and honestly, one for the books in Surfest history.
Surfest is more than just a competition – it’s a celebration of surf culture, community pride, and raw talent. With Newcastle kicking things off and wrapping up the 2025-26 Challenger Series, it’s clear: the waves aren’t the only thing making noise this season.
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