With the 37th Annual Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach surf competition coming up (April 7-18), we thought we'd reflect on why we love Bells and why it is the model surf comp.
Location, Location, Location
Bells has a unique aura about it. Similar to the North Shore, being at Bells you feel you're in a special place. And, Bells is the location of the longest continuously running surfing competition in the world.
Bells and neighboring Winkipop surf breaks are both set in an Australian Surfing Recreation Reserve -- the first of its kind in the world. Accoriding to the Surf Coast Shire web site, "The Surf Coast community acknowledges the importance of Bells Beach and seeks to protect and enhance the reserve’s natural assets and those of the surrounding hinterland." The people who love Bells and this location are dedicated to keeping this place pristine and natural.
Plus, Bells is pretty much the beginning of the Great Ocean Road, which is similar to Highway One in California. You can explore for days and days along the Great Ocean Road and we hear there are some great waves to be found out that way too!
The Green Energy
The contest itself has a serious green commitment. Contest organizers have pledged to off-set all carbon emissions of all the pros and staff at the event. For instance, consider a pro who travels from say the Gold Coast. Their plane ride, car rental and even rides on the jet ski are all measured. An environmental cost is associated with those activities and the contest pledges to donate dollars that go towards off-setting the carbon emissions. Moreover, proceeds from parking and the event itself go to environmental groups. Recycling is made so easy it is nearly impossible for competition goers to not recycle.
The World's Best
The prospect of winning at Bells -- and ringing the Bell -- is so powerful, all the best show up. In 2008, Kelly Slater was going to pass on the event until he got the forecast for great surf and decided he couldn't miss it (He went on to win the event and ring the bell.) And like most 'CT events, the fans get to get up close. Bells has a sweet amphitheater like setting to watch the world's best. For remote fans frothing to watch the competition, the web casting at RipCurl.com is top notch!
(A triumphant Steph Gilmore after winning Bells in 2008)
(Perennial Bells favorite, Joel Parkinson, 2008)
The Festival
A frightengly good AC/DC cover band (ACCA/DACCA), Jim Beam girls, festive surf fans in the hot sun, and heaps of good food. The festival aspect of Bells rocks!
The Town, Torquay
Imagine Santa Cruz or maybe even La Jolla in San Diego, only the population runs at about 10,000. Torquay is the birthplace of surf industry giants, Rip Curl and Quiksilver -- but the town retains a small town surf-y vibe. What's more, great food can be found everywhere -- Soul Fuel, Rhino and Donkey are two killer choices in town. They feature super fresh and healthy meals at reasonable prices.
If you ever get the chance, make a plan to come to Bells some year. You won't regret it! For more on this year's Rip Curl Pro and for the web cast, visit the Rip Curl site.
(All photos: Walsh)
