Hello Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Australia 2014

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach begins this week on Wednesday April 16 to Sunday April 27, 2014.  It's the final stop on the Australian leg of professional surfing’s elite tour and is one of the most prestigious.

Bells Beach, Victoria in Australia is stop number three on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour (WCT). Our amazing Bells Beach is home to the longest-running professional surfing contest in the world.  It's been taking place each year since 1973. ‘Ringing the bell’, or winning at Bells, is one of the most coveted awards on the surfing calendar and a crucial part of the ASP World Title race.

Watch the event live at local venues...

If you are lucky enough to live on the Surf Coast you won't have to head all the way to Bell's Beach to see the surfing. According to The Surf Coast Times this week...

Catch the action from the annual surfing tournament – which marks its 53th year in 2014 – screened live and enjoy the hospitality at a score of official Rip Curl Pro “Live Sites” across Torquay between April 16 and 27.

Surf City will have four of the sites alone, at the Rip Curl store, Torquay Visitor Centre, Sticks and Stones and the Surf World Museum.

Bell Street will have three: the Torquay Hotel, Bubba Pizza & Pasta and Bell Street Printworks & Gallery.

Gilbert Street will likewise have three, at the Westpac Bank, Sandbah Cafe and Surfcoast Images.

On the Surf Coast Highway, make a stop at Bombora’s Cafe, Bar and Pizzeria or the RACV Torquay Resort.

There will be live sites along the length of The Esplanade – at Growlers, Front Beach Cafe, Zeally’s Bar & Grill, Cafe Moby and Wyndham Resort Torquay, and nearby at Peppers The Sands Resort Torquay.

Torquay Central shoppers can see the surfing at The Coffee Club and Surf Coast Wholefoods.

On Bristol Road, there will be live sites at Mejavo’s Cafe & Deli and Mazamigo Mexican Restaurant.

The surfing will also be broadcast at The Beach Hotel at Jan Juc, the Anglesea Hotel, the Aireys Inlet Hotel and the Grand Pacific Hotel & Apartments.

A little background about the Rip Curl Pro and Bells Beach...

"The unique point break and natural amphitheatre ensure an amazing show at Bells Beach, which is comprised of several breaks including The Bowl, Outside Bells and Rincon. The Bowl, the steep final section of the wave, is the main break with Outside Bells producing a long, fast, even wall when surf gets above six feet. Rincon is predominantly a high-tide wave and runs closer to the rocks. The event is mobile with Johanna and Winkipop offering alternatives if necessary, however, the big swells and offshore winds common here at Easter help show off Bells at it’s best."

Eleven-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) has earned the right to ring the bell four separate times, Gold Coast talent Joel Parkinson (AUS) notched his third Bells victory in 2011 and, most recently, Adriano de Souza became the first Brazilian male to ring the Bell in 2013.

Five-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP WCT No. 1 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) has been victorious here three times. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) posted back-to-back wins in 2011 and 2012 and reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP WCT No. 1 (tied with Gilmore) Carissa Moore (HAW) is the defending event winner.

"As far as events go, Bells is one of the most important,” De Souza said. “The list of people who have won here is so prestigious and it’s an honor to be listed amongst them. It’s a special place and I look forward to returning.” according to www.surf.co.nz

Enjoy the wonderful week of surfing ahead.

Until next time,

Your Neighbour!