Why We Love Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro and Why It is the Model Surf Comp

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)

Surf Stronger Tip of the Week

Surf Stronger staffers were down in Big Sur, California the last two days shooting photos for a Monterey Weekly article. At any rate, we surfed some super fun waves in super cold water. Lamely, I did not wear my hood. Note to self, and to anyone reading this blog: Always wear a hood when surfing Big Sur or anywhere where the water is 49 degrees! Even though it looked calm enough, duck diving proved brutal sans hoodie!

Keep it covered,
The Surf Stronger Crew


(This worried lad was smart. Hood!)


(Big Sur rock dance.)


(Wildflower season in Big Sur.)

Surf Stronger at IHRSA 2009

The Surf Stronger Crew checked out IHRSA (International Health Racquet and Sports Association) 2009 trade show yesterday. IHRSA is the largest fitness expo in the world.

Every major player in the industry hits this show and we were stoked to check out some of the latest equipment and programming. A few stood out in our minds. Here's a quick list:

First off, Fitness Anywhere. These guys make the TRX trainer and lets just say these guys are on it! They had the most happening workout area with heaps of energy and good vibes. Runner up goes to X-Pole. Limber, attractive gals on a pole working out. What more can we say? Looks like a good workout too. Third place is the new eco-treadmill made by Woodway which is a non-motorized treadmill that actually works. We aren't big runners but occasionally we like to hit some wind sprints and sometimes you can't be outside. These treadmills are super for this and they are the first to do it without a power cord. We like that. Best nutrition company: Clif bar. Clif provides by far the best tasting pre-surf snack bar that keeps you feeling energized. Heaps of flavors and good-for-you ingredients.

Also, as a reminder, if you haven't checked out the revamped surfstronger.com, check it today. We are stoked to be providing you the best fitness info to keep you surfing stronger!

Stay healthy and see you in the water.


(The versatile, and cool TRX in action at IHRSA 2009)

California Surf Movie and Music Roadshow

Surf movie nights in small, locally owned, coastal theaters is sadly a relic of a bygone surf era. We are stoked to see film maker Thomas Campbell (The Seedling, Sprout) bring back this chestnut of surf history. He debuts his new movie, The Present, at a string of coastal theaters this month. Not only will he be showcasing his tasty looking film, there'll be quality live music before most showings.

The Surf Stronger crew will be a the Santa Barbara showing, but there are a bunch of upcoming dates:

March 20: Santa Barbara, Arlington Theater
March 25: San Luis Obisbo, Fremont Theater
March 28: San Francisco, Victoria Theter

See more dates here.


(A tasty nugget from the movie, The Present)

Surf Stronger and Sambazon

We are again offering a free Sambazon ACAI with every US surfstronger.com order. Sambazon Acai is super tasty and super for you. Check our store for details.

Spring Training. Get in the Swim of Things for Better Surf Fitness

I knew today was going to be hectic with work and other life obligations, so opted for a quick swim workout since I wouldn't be surfing. Yesterday I did the complete Surf Stronger Core Training workout so was stoked to do some swimming today. And while I'm sure my coach didn't plan a surf-specific swim workout, as I cranked it out, I definitely saw the application to a typical surf session. The main set looked like this:

3 x 50 yards free, "descending." Descending means you swim each 50 faster than the last. Starting out this way is similar to one's paddle out and initial effort getting through waves.

500 yards "cruise." This is similar to the middle portion of a paddle out.

3 x 100 yards free, descending. Almost out the back. But, a big set is coming in! You need to pick up the pace and crank for 300 yards!

500 yards cruise. OK, you've surfed a long one in, now the paddle back out.

3 x 150 yards free, descending. Again, a big set comes out of nowhere, and you need to crank to get past the four wave sneaker set.

500 yards cruise. You get another long one in and paddle back out at a "cruise" pace.

In total, this main set was 2,400 yards, easily what you have to paddle when you surf during a decent swell / session.

By cross training with some swim workouts like this, the next time you get a good swell and you surf a couple hours, you'll notice a big difference in your surf endurance.

Stay healthy, see you in the water!

Interview with Mark Cunningham - A True Waterman

Mark Cunningham is truly a legend -- lifeguard on the North Shore for twenty plus years, body surfer extraordinaire, and zealous environmentalist. We interviewed him on the North Shore two winters ago, and Surfer just published an interview with him. Good stuff.