Parkinson, the world No.2, and the fourth-ranked Burrow were announced this morning as the top seeds for the six-star $144,000 men’s pro event.

The international appeal is not restricted to the men, with Association of Surfing Professionals’ women’s world champion Carissa Moore from Hawaii and world No.2 Sally Fitzgibbons confirmed entrants for the six-star $37,000 women’s classic.

‘‘It’s fantastic to host dual ASP six-star men’s and women’s competitions and see the entire event at the level we have long argued it needs to be to provide Newcastle with surfers of such outstanding calibre,’’ Surfest organiser Warren Smith said.

Only last week Surfest organisers were in talks with 11-time world champion Kelly Slater before the American made himself unavailable.

Surfest begins at Merewether Beach on March 7 with the men’s and women’s finals to be held on March 18.