Surfest organiser Warren Smith expects Newcastle's big-wave surfers to be out in force on Saturday morning as a huge swell is forecast to hit the coast.
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The southerly swell is expected to reach 5.5 metres early on Saturday morning, producing wave heights approaching three metres.
The swell is forecast to build further over the weekend, peaking with 3.5-metre waves on Monday morning.
"They're talking quite large, so you're talking 10 foot plus," Mr Smith said.
"That's what they're calling. We'll have to see what happens. It's going to be terrific surfing, and I hope everyone gets to enjoy it."
A south-westerly wind could provide clean waves for the city's die-hard surfers, especially on Monday morning.
Newcastle Herald forecaster Dave Anderson is tipping the "biggest conditions of the year" but "messy" surf on open beaches.
Mr Smith said the conditions could be big enough for tow-in surfing behind jet skis.
"If the predictions are on, I'm sure you're going to see some exciting surf being ridden around here," Mr Smith said on Friday.
"I know a few surfers are already planning to leave the town to capitalise on some waves elsewhere in some of the point breaks that handle the large surf.
"I'd be crucified if I advertised where they're going.
"I'm sure we'll see some of our big-wave surfers out, particularly off Merewether, and we'll probably see the jet skis back out in action.
"It's going to be massive, and on the negative side there's going to be some beach erosion."
Mr Smith said the swell direction was not ideal.
"There's plenty of bump on out at sea at the moment. I think there's still a bit too much south in the swell. We need that to straighten up a bit and it's going to be on."
The Newcastle harbour break, which operates only in large swells, could provide a more sheltered wave if the open beaches are too messy.
"The size and intensity of that will depend on the swell direction," Mr Smith said.
"You'd have to think it will have a wave.
"The size will depend on the swell direction."
City of Newcastle closed Stockton beach on Friday and is monitoring beaches south of the harbour.
It said on its website that Stockton could suffer more beach erosion due to high seas and tides.
"Following the weekend's swell event and when safe, the city will inspect all beaches and undertake any repairs required prior to opening the beaches again," it said.
The weather forecast for Newcastle is for showers from late Saturday morning with south-west winds up to 30 kilometres an hour and a maximum temperature of 18 degrees.
Sunday is forecast to be similar before the wind drops off on Monday.
- Weather on Page 55