In small waves, 2012 world champion Specker won the men’s drop knee final ahead of Jimmy Leayr (NSW), Zac Sonner (Queensland) and Tommy-Gun Frame (NSW). 

However, fellow world champion Isabela Sousa, from Brazil, was beaten  in the women’s pro final, which was round one of the national pro tour. Sousa was second to Gerringong’s Lilly Pollard in the decider.

 Jane Keel and Courtney Parsons were third and fourth respectively.

Hawaiian wunderkind Tanner McDaniel lived up to the hype to win the under-15 division,  while Forster’s Pearson Tully claimed the under17s round.

Newcastle’s Australian champion Marshall Watson was knocked out in the quarter-finals of the men’s division, while Novocastrian Rusta King was eliminated in the under17s semi-finals.

International Bodyboarding Association Australasian general manager Terry McKenna was behind the return of the pro tour competition to Newcastle after a five-year absence.

He hoped the 2013 Boogie Fest, a music, art and surf festival, would be the first of many.

‘‘The waves were small but everything else came together really well,’’ McKenna said.

‘‘The weather was great, there was a good crowd and all in all it was an awesome event.’’

Boogie Fest was able to attract the world champions because they were in Australia to prepare for the IBA World Tour event on the NSW South Coast next month.

McKenna said the plan was to hold the event at the same time each season.

A men’s pro was not held this year because of a shortage in prize money, but McKenna hoped to put on the top division next year with financial support from Newcastle City Council.