Disappointing news for Surfest organisers with former world champion Joel Parkinson announcing he won’t attend the event later this month.
Parkinson has been the top seed at Merewether in recent years, famously tackling epic swells inside Newcastle Harbour, and winning the Mark Richards trophy in 2013.
A host of championship tour surfers HAVE signed on, including 2014 champion Matt Banting and local star Ryan Callinan.
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