.png){kind=logo}
When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference.
These cookies are essential to enable user movement across our website and for providing access to features such as your profile. These cookies cannot be disabled. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and cannot be used for marketing purposes.
These cookies allow us to analyze visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site and enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers, such as Google Analytics, whose services we have added to our pages. Information collected through these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly and/or we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts or content. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.
Event Guide: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
WSL
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Official Event Site
Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach Official Event Site
EVENT WINDOW: April 1-12, 2015
LOCATION: Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia
TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT + 10
COORDINATES: 38°22'12.0"S 144°16'48.0"E
BAGGAGE CLAIM: Melbourne Avalon Airport, Geelong (GEX)
THE WAVE: Bells is a beefy pointbreak. It's comprised of several breaks including Outside Bells, The Bowl and Little Rincon, which can make it one leg-burner of a ride with the right swell direction. Here's the breakdown: Outside Bells is the main break that produces a long, fast, even wall when it gets above six feet. The Bowl is the steep final section of the wave, while Little Rincon is to the south and needs a higher tide. Just east of The Bowl is Winkipop, which runs over a stretch of reef that produces a fast, hollow wave.
CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR HISTORY: Pro surfing has enjoyed 50 years at Bells Beach. One of the earliest legends of the event was Gail Couper (AUS), who won an astonishing 10 Bells' titles during the 1960s and 1970s. Other notable female performers from the Bells contests include 2015 Heritage Series competitors Lisa Andersen (USA) with four wins at Bells and Layne Beachley (AUS) with three. Reigning World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) also has three wins at Bells, while returning CT competitor Silvana Lima won the first Bells title for Brazil in 2009.
Apart from Couper, the only surfers to have ever won three consecutive Bells titles are Michael Peterson (AUS) (1973-1975) and Mark Richards (AUS) (1978-1980). In 1987, the men's Final featured two trialists, Nick Wood (AUS) and Richard Marsh (AUS). (Wood ended up winning as a teenager.) Current World No. 2 Mick Fanning (AUS) also won the event as a wildcard in 2001. This year, with three Bells titles to his name, Fanning is the defending event champ.
NOTABLE: Bells is known for the historic introduction of the Thruster, a surfboard setup that uses three fins on the bottom of the board. In 1981, shaping pioneer Simon Anderson won the event on a three-fin board, ushering in the era of the Thruster. That same year, the Rip Curl Pro ran in 15-foot monster sets. One wave was even ridden from Rincon all the way to Winkipop.
THE WEATHER: Anything goes: It can be cold and rainy and, after a long surf in the chilly water, you may find yourself looking for cover. It's a different world down in Torquay when it comes to weather and you need to pack for everything -- including unseasonable heat. Be prepared for any environment.
APRÈS-SURF: Although Torquay is widely known as a sleepy surf town, you can count on the Rip Curl Pro to bring the party. The Torquay Hotel will be a hotspot when the show is in town and you can always hit one of the great restaurants that the area is famous for. Pro tip: Rent a car and drive the Great Ocean Road, 243 kilometers of coast running between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
Highlights from the 2015 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach to air on U.S. television Saturday, May 2 at 3 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
Relive the biggest airs and incredible triumphs from Bells Beach this Saturday on ABC.
Soak up the sounds from the south of Australia with the WSL's broadcast music.
See which pros get to site before dawn -- and which go back to sleep.
Watch the highlights from finals day at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
News
Italo Ferreira debuts at Margaret River with a strong showing, surging past Australians George Pittar and Jacob Willcox with a strong
The former World Title contender Joao Chianca is making his case to clear himself of the Mid-season Cut and showed every ounce of
GWM Aussie Treble leader Kanoa Igarashi established himself at Margaret River with a convincing win over CT Rookie duo Al Cleland and
Gold Coast Pro winner and two-time WSL Champ Filipe Toledo's 8.00 wasn't enough for Connor O'Leary's 15.80 heat total. O'Leary and Toledo
The world's best are back on the wild coastline of Western Australia with Margaret River as its focal point.