COOLANGATTA, Queensland, AUS (Thursday, February 20, 2025) - Burton Automotive Group is set to continue their strong support of professional surfing, this time on the global stage, becoming the Title Partner of the upcoming World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series event in Newcastle. The Burton Automotive Newcastle SURFEST presented by Bonsoy, will welcome over 120 of the world's best surfers back to Merewether Beach as they look to qualify for the 2026 WSL Championship Tour (CT).
Burton Automotive is synonymous with Newcastle SURFEST, first supporting the event 20 years ago. The 2025 addition will be the biggest iteration of the event in well over a decade and the most international instalment that Burton Automotive Group has been involved with.
"It's hard to imagine Newcastle SURFEST without thinking of Burton Automotive," said Andrew Stark, WSL APAC President. "The company has had a connection to this long-running event for so long it has become part of its fabric. When the event was upgraded to a Challenger Series event in 2025, elevating it to a bigger, more international audience, Kim Burton and his team were keen to get involved immediately, which is a testament to his love and passion for surfing. WSL would like to thank Kim, his family and the Burton Automotive group for their ongoing and unwavering support of the WSL and professional surfing in general."
Burton Automotive Group also continues to support competitive surfing at all levels throughout the region, supporting local events, boardriders clubs, and up-and-coming surfers, helping them with their aspirations of one day joining the elite Championship Tour.
"I'm stoked to be able to assist in bringing some of the world's Best Surfers to Newcastle Surfest," said Burton Automotive founder and owner Kim Burton. "We have a fantastic crew of young up-and-coming guys and girls who aspire to be surfing champions, and having a Challenger Contest in your own backyard will be a great experience for them."
Adding to the high stakes, the Burton Automotive Super Sunday will be dedicated to community-focused surfing for Newcastle locals on Sunday, June 1st, 2025, at Merewether Beach.
Burton Automotive will also be promoted in the event broadcast via the ‘Burton Automotive Replay' and will feature an on-site activation space to drive dealership sales.
The 2025 Burton Automotive Newcastle SURFEST WSL Challenger Series event will run at Merewether Beach, Newcastle, from June 2 - 8, 2025.