The Mutual Bank is excited to announce its continued sponsorship of the High School Teams Challenge in the lead up to Newcastle Surfest.
The teams challenge taking place on Thursday, 8 May and Friday, 9 May 2025 at South Bar Beach and draws talented young surfers from across the state.
Open exclusively to NSW high schools, the competition features both boys’ and girls’ divisions, with teams of up to five surfers. The event provides a fantastic platform for young surfers to showcase their skills and teamwork – all at the start of the internationally renowned Surfest competition to be held in June.
Surfest sees some of the world’s best up-and-coming surfers descend on the iconic surf break of Merewether in Newcastle as they look to qualify for the 2026 Championship Tour (CT) as Newcastle hosts the first event of the 2025 WSL Challenger Series.
Matthew Dunnill, Chief Member Officer at The Mutual Bank, said the teams challenge surfing event was always a highlight on the Hunter-based bank’s sponsorship calendar.
“The Mutual Bank High School Teams Challenge is a great opportunity for young surfers to gain invaluable experience and demonstrate their talent,” he said
“We are proud to support an event that aligns with our commitment to helping people thrive.”
There is no entry fee for the event and prizes will be awarded to schools that reach the final, with the format to include two non-elimination rounds before the knockout rounds begin.
Each team can have a maximum of 5 surfers with only 3 surfers competing in each heat.
Surfest is the largest surfing festival in the Southern Hemisphere, bringing together amateur and professional surfers for 17 days of thrilling competition.
