Reigning world champions Joel Parkinson and Stephanie Gilmore will compete in next month's six-star ASP Surfest events in Newcastle.
The lower tier contests, which start at Merewether beach on February 13, will be the first competitive outing of the year for the Gold Coast pair.
Parkinson was eliminated in the first round of last year's competition before going on to have his best season.
The 31-year-old, who was a four-time runner-up before ending Kelly Slater's shot at a 12th world title, will attempt to join seven other world champions - including Slater, Mick Fanning and Mark Occhilupo - who have won the Newcastle event.
With this year's scheduling putting the contest before the Quiksilver Pro in the Gold Coast, Parkinson said it will be the ideal tune-up for the Snapper Rocks competition.
'I'm really happy to be heading back to Newcastle again this year,' he said.
'Ever since I was a junior, I've always enjoyed heading down to Newy. There's such a good vibe about the contest.
'It will be the perfect warm-up for me going into Snapper.'
Five-time world champion Gilmore, meanwhile, will try to win her second Surfest crown after taking out the title in 2008.
Defending Surfest champ Sally Fitzgibbons and veteran Occhilupo are other big names confirmed for the event.
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