Philippa Anderson said it was "sad but understandable", Jackson Baker reckons it will feel "weird" while Warren Smith described it as "the hardest decision I've ever had to make" in 35 years of the competition.
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Smith made the announcement on Tuesday, explaining "the major factor driving this decision is the paramount safety of the community, athletes and Surfest staff". COVID-19 protocols and international travel restrictions were also insurmountable hurdles.
The long-time event coordinator remained confident that Surfest would return "bigger and better" in 2022 despite not going ahead as planned in March.
The difficult call came eight months after Merewether's world tour surfer Ryan Callinan was edged out by adopted Novocastrian Julian Wilson in the 2020 men's final, meaning the wait for a local male champion continues.
Anderson, who also hails from Merewether, claimed the women's title in 2009.
"It's really sad, but understandable," she said.
"I really feel for Warren and the team, because there's so much passion that goes into it and not just for the week that it's running."
Baker, 23, has grown up in the beachside suburb idolising Surfest and has only ever known a time with the contest, which began in 1985.
"It's going to feel weird without it," he said.
"I normally have 10 mates staying at my place and I've been part of it since I was eight years old."
Smith said a domestic competition was considered.
"There was [consideration] but we still had major issues with COVID-19 social distancing, event management and major inconvenience to the local community," Smith said.
Ultimately, Smith said canning Surfest was a decision "we didn't want to make, but it was the only one we could".
He has already been "overwhelmed" by the response of sponsors and supporters, declaring "we'll be back" with planning already underway for 2022.
Lord Mayor of Newcastle Cr Nuatali Nelmes said it was "disappointing" Surfest wouldn't be part of the calendar next year but council remains "committed" to future events.
"Large-scale events that attract international visitors and competitors take months and months of careful preparation and planning, so it's the right call to make this decision now," she said.
Surfest didn't run in 1991. The women's competition also had a hiatus between 1999 and 2002.
Elsewhere, Anderson finished third at the Australian Open of Surfing event at Cronulla on the weekend while Baker intends to compete at Port Macquarie this Saturday anfd Sunday.
The WSL championship tour is due to start in Hawaii next month.
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