In 1995 to mark the events 10th anniversary, organisers renamed the main event in honour of Newcastle's Mark Richards - calling it the Mark Richards Newcastle City Pro. Whilst not the richest in cash terms, the event embodied the hospitality of Newcastle as a city and competitors came in their throngs to get a piece of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP)[1], World Qualifying Series (WQS) 4 Star ratings and prizemoney but also to pay tribute to 4 time world champ Mark Richards. Since then, Surfest has grown substantially. Since 2000, organisers have secured a naming rights sponsor in Energy Australia [1].