Sidney Guimaraes in amongst the seaweeds during Heat 12 of the Surfest Junior Pro event at Merewether Beach.14th FEBRUARY 2013.
Jackson Baker in action during the heats at Merewether Beach (below).
SURFERS got a little bit more than they bargained for when the preliminary Surfest events kicked off in Newcastle last week.
Seas of weed swelled into Newcastle on the back of recent storms, with many of the riders finishing their heats covered in a costume of green.
Australian indigenous champion Russell Molony, from Berkeley Vale, took out the Wandiyali Classic ahead of Jack Germain (of Lake Cathie) and Max Tatam (of Foster).
Stockton's Ginaya Herare was the best-placed Novocastrian in the women's division of the Wandiyali Classic, pipped by Chae Moloney (from Berrara) and Stella Crick (Coldale).
Merewether's Jackson Baker finished second in the under-16 Cadet Cup final on Sunday and also managed a spot in the Surfest Men's Pro.
He was one of four qualifiers from the weekend trials to gain a spot in the main event.
Eighteen-year-old Victorian Ellie-Jean Coffey scored her maiden Pro Junior win, defeating ASP junior women's world champion Nikki Van Dijk.
"It feels really good to win here this year after getting second last year," Coffey said.
"Having the priority system is really good because you can pick your waves wisely," she said.
"I was pretty nervous when she had priority but I was able to use it smartly and keep in front."
Avoca Beach's Sandon Whittaker took out the under-14 division in the Sanbah Cadet Cup.
Jacob Willcox won the under-16 final and Caringbah's Paris Whittaker won the girls' division.