MICK FANNING
E-BOMB PRO
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Feel the winter stoke tUesDAY
The longest-running and most prestigious World Tour surfing event in history turns 50 this year, and on behalf of all Victorians I congratulate the Rip Curl Pro on reaching this terrific milestone.
The Rip Curl Pro is synonymous with Australian surf culture. Since its early days it has attracted the biggest names in world surfing to Victoria’s most famous surf beach, Bells in Torquay.
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Be the first one out at Bells
This year is no exception, with a top line-up of local and international surfing stars set to thrill spectators, including ASP World Champions Stephanie Gilmore, Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning.
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Fans can also get in early to witness the world’s up–and–coming surfers competing for a spot on the final drawcard in the Championship Moves Trials.
Go mountain bike riding through the forest
The Victorian Government is proud to be associated with the history and future of this fantastic event. For 50 years the Rip Curl Pro has helped build Victoria’s reputation as the sports capital of the world, provided crucial pathways for upcoming stars, and inspired people to get physically active, and stay healthy by hitting the waves.
Score the wave of the day at Winki
This is the perfect opportunity for everyone, especially our first-time international and interstate guests to experience some of the excitement surfing fans have been raving about for 50 years. Surf Coast wineries, galleries, shops, seafood restaurants, coastal parks, walking trails, and Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road are all close by to Bells.
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There are also a variety of learn-to-surf opportunities coordinated by Surfing Victoria that have helped beginners enjoy the challenge of riding the waves along the Surf Coast. On behalf of the Victorian Government I invite all sports fans to join in the carnival atmosphere and birthday celebrations at the 2011 Rip Curl Pro Presented by FORD.
HONOURABLE TED BAILLIEU MP Premier of Victoria
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Try the catch of the day
Discover surf history at Surfworld
You’ll find the best breaks on the Great ocean road this winter. wake up with a morning wave, settle in for a gourmet lunch and spend the afternoon taking in the spectacular scenery. For more information, go to greatoceanroadshortbreaks.com.au.
greatoceanroadshortbreaks.com.au
A quick stroll through the “contest city” that is the modern-day Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach reveals a very different scene from the days of old, when judges gave points-per-manoeuvre from a beaten-up school bus in the muddy Bells carpark, whilst competitors battled it out in the freezing Southern Ocean waters wearing nothing more than homemade boardshorts and football jumpers... Stop and look a little closer, however, and you will find the key ingredients of the past simmering in the ultra-modern pro surfing stew: From far and wide, the planet’s best wave riders have gathered once again for an Easter in Victoria, where Mother Nature always rules supreme, promising that the road to the Bell will be one of the most grueling yet prestigious feats of their surfing careers. And while prize money, ratings points and lifelong bragging rights wait at the end of that road, it is the iconic Bell trophy that is the sweetest of the spoils. Every competitive surfer young and old has at least once daydreamed of lifting the Bell overhead and ringing the hell out of it for the world to see. But you gotta win it to ring it... and in it’s 50-year history only 50 men and women have shared such an honour. As 4-time Bells champion Mark Richards once put it: “To this day, it’s the only trophy that matters in pro surfing....” This year will be headlined by the return of newlyminted 10-time ASP World and defending Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Champion Kelly Slater, who will be looking to secure yet another record: a fifth Bell. Leading the Aussie assault will be past Bells winners Taj Burrow and 2-time ASP World Champion Mick Fanning. And of course all eyes will be on the 2010 ASP Rookie of the Year Owen Wright, as he looks to set his sights on not just his first Bell but a decisive 2011 ASP World Tour campaign.
APRIL 16th • Gathering of the Tribe Reunion •Bells Gold Exhibition @ Surf World Museum
APRIL 17th • Championship Moves Mens Pre-Trials • Surf with the Pros presented by Surfing Victoria • Victoria Play it Safe by the Water Junior Challenge (waiting period to April 30th)
For the Women, 4-time ASP World Champion and 3-time Bells winner, Stephanie Gilmore, will be headlining the action for the ASP’s Top 17 Women, while Sally Fitzgibbons and winner of Event 1 of the 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour, Carissa Moore, will no doubt be close on her heels, determined to take the 2011 Bell home. And just as surf fans will be watching Owen in the Men’s competition, they will also be keeping an eye on his little sister and Tour rookie, Tyler, who finished runner-up to Moore in Event 1, and who has been widely considered a threat to Gilmore’s World Title throne in 2011. But before all of the World Tour action begins on April 19, the 2011 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will kick off with a historic day on April 16, with the Gathering of the Tribe 50-year Celebration. On April 20th almost all of the 50 men and women who have won at Bells will arrive in town for the Rip Curl Pro Presented by FORD. From there, it’s madness as usual — from the infamous Tracks party to a multitude of other afterhours shenanigans.
TICKET PRICES: • Adult: $8 • Concession: $5 • Event Pass: $25 • Kids 16 and Under: Free • Parking: $2 Event proceeds go to the Bells Beach Surfing Reserve. VIRGIN BLUE TICKET PROMO Thanks to event partners Virgin Blue, you will receive a Festival Pass and free entry to the Rip Curl Pro when you present any Virgin Blue boarding pass at the Ticket Office on-site at Bells Beach.
Be sure to join the gathering, whether you’re in the next town over or thousands of miles away via live.ripcurl.com — this is one Rip Curl Pro that’s sure to fire.
To make the most of your stay go to www.visittorquay.org For daily news and giveaways pick up a copy of the
APRIL 18th
APRIL 19th
• Rip Curl Pro Day One • Championship Moves Mens Trials • Media Launch • Ford Expression Session (waiting period to April 26th) • GromSearch International Final begins (waiting period • Virgin Blue Expression Session to April 24th) (waiting period to April 26th)
APRIL 20th
APRIL 21st
APRIL 22nd
APRIL 23rd
• Former Bells Champions arrive in town • Surf Coast Shire Civic Reception and book launch
• Rip Curl Pro 50th Anniversary Surfers Ball
• Bells Champions Heat • Tracks Party
• Rip Curl Team signing at Rip Curl Retail Store, Torquay at 4pm
1998
Narrowing down the list of historic Bells moments is not easy. For five decades, the longest running professional surfing event has hosted countless era-defining rounds, heats and waves. The following list is inspired by the Tracks “Bells Big Hits” list and from the new book Bells, written by Michael Gordon.
For Mark Occhilupo in the beginning of 1998, no amount of time or new talent could deter him from making good on his return to pro surfing 12 years after his last trip to the winner’s podium. Perhaps it was his past Bells memories that lit the fire: His semi-final clash with Tom Curren that has been deemed not only the best heat ever at Bells, but one of the best in pro surfing history. Or maybe it was that first wrenching bottom turn in the Bowl that reminded him of his special relationship with Victoria. Whatever it was, he didn’t stop until he was ringing that Bell. The day was April 14th, 1998 — the day Occy came back. — Andrew Lewis
MARK OCCHILUPO
1973
For three years from 1973 Michael Peterson was the standout surfer in Australia, but the points-for-manoeuvres system accentuated his domination. Others paid heed to the moves that delivered the highest scores, but Michael studied the points table like a kid swatting for an exam, and had his own summary on the dashboard of his car. In one rare interview with Tracks, he summed up his strategy by saying he did everything as fast and radical as he could. “I just didn’t stop moving. I even zigged and zagged between my zigs and zags.” — Michael Gordon
2001
MICK FANNING
1981
At dawn AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” was already pumping from the event speakers hanging above the Bells carpark. Looming behind each ominous chime was a pulse of raw, 15-foot Southern Ocean swell detonating over the Bowl. If there was ever a day to be confident in your equipment, Saturday the 18th of May was it. But 26-year-old Simon Anderson had no plans of playing things safe. Under the gaze of thousands of awestruck spectators, the quiet assassin from Sydney paddled his peculiar 3-finned surfboard out into the bombing conditions and put on a clinic, effectively signalling a close to the MR twin-fin era, and ushered in the game-changing age of the thruster. — Andrew Lewis
2008
SIMON ANDERSON
1982
Since 1978, the Rip Curl Pro had been the MR Show… save for only one blemish: Simon Anderson’s groundbreaking run in ’81 the year before. But there was no way the fierce 25-year-old Richards would let his twin-fin legacy go so quietly. In the final against Tom Carroll — whom had since become the poster boy of Anderson’s thruster design – MR proved the twin could still win and rung his fourth Bell and re-wrote the Rip Curl Pro history books. — Andrew Lewis
Want more? Pick up Michael Gordon’s Bells on site or in all good Australian bookstores now.
Bells has a way of foreshadowing the future. Just look at the list of past winners and you’ll notice not one name that didn’t go on to be a driving force in his or her generation. So when 19-year-old wildcard Mick Fanning slipped into the final rounds of the 2001 Rip Curl Pro, the pundits began preparing their Slater comparisons. Not quick to disappoint, White Lightning disposed of Tour veteran Danny Wills and (along with a 22-year-old Andy Irons, who finished equal 3rd) promised a new era of domination post-Slater. — Andrew Lewis
Kelly Slater matched MR’s four victories in 2010, but his most extraordinary win came in 2008 when Bede Durbidge had him on the ropes in the Bowl. With Bede in control and with priority, Kelly paddled to Rincon where waves hadn’t been breaking and stunned the crowd with a huge punt, securing victory with less than four minutes remaining. Although Bede thought the master was “tripping” when he made the move, he learnt a valuable lesson. Two years later, Kelly honoured local indigenous people, the Wathaurong, by giving them his fourth bell. — Michael Gordon
KELLY SLATER
2008
MARK RICHARDS
Layne Beachley had three Bells and seven world titles to her credit when she confronted Stephanie Gilmore in the semi-finals in 2008. Layne had been the stand-out woman of the contest and had priority when one of the better waves came through. When Layne passed on the wave, Stephanie pounced and got the score. That wave gave her the confidence to win back-to-back Bells and set up her second World Title. “Once I got past Layne, I just felt I couldn’t be beaten,” says Steph. Two years later, a 22-year-old Gilmore won her third Bell. — Michael Gordon
STEPHANIE GILMORE
2011
Who will ring the bell?
1986
TOM CARROLL (AUS)
2010
Kelly Slater (USA)
1985
TOM CURREN (USA)
2009
JOEL PARKINSON (AUS)
1984
CHEYNE HORAN (AUS)
2008
KELLY SLATER (USA)
1983
JOE ENGEL (AUS)
2007
TAJ BURROW (AUS)
1982
MARK RICHARDS (AUS)
2006
KELLY SLATER (USA)
1981
SIMON ANDERSON (AUS)
2005
TRENT MUNRO (AUS)
1980
MARK RICHARDS (AUS)
2004
JOEL PARKINSON (AUS)
1979
MARK RICHARDS (AUS)
2003
ANDY IRONS (HAW)
1978
MARK RICHARDS (AUS)
2002
ANDY IRONS (HAW)
1977
SIMON ANDERSON (AUS)
2001
MICK FANNING (AUS)
1976
JEFF HAKMAN (HAW)
2000
SUNNY GARCIA (HAW)
1975
MICHAEL PETERSON (AUS)
1999
SHANE DORIAN (HAW)
1974
MICHAEL PETERSON (AUS)
1998
MARK OCCHILUPO (AUS)
1973
MICHAEL PETERSON (AUS)
1997
MATT HOY (AUS)
1972
TERRY FITZGERALD (AUS)
1996
SUNNY GARCIA (HAW)
1971
PAUL NEILSEN (AUS)
1995
SUNNY GARCIA (HAW)
1970
NAT YOUNG (AUS)
1994
KELLY SLATER (USA)
1969
TED SPENCER (AUS)
1993
DAMIEN HARDMAN (AUS)
1968
TED SPENCER (AUS)
1992
RICHIE COLLINS (USA)
1967
NAT YOUNG (AUS)
1991
BARTON LYNCH (AUS)
1966
NAT YOUNG (AUS)
1990
TOM CURREN (USA)
1965
ROB CONNEELEY (AUS)
1989
MARTIN POTTER (GBR)
1964
MICK DOOLEY (AUS)
1988
DAMIEN HARDMAN (AUS)
1963
DOUG ANDREW (AUS)
1987
NICK WOOD (AUS)
1962
GLYNN RITCHIE (AUS)
2011
Who will ring the bell?
1986
FREIDA ZAMBA (USA)
2010
STEPHANIE GILMORE (AUS)
1985
FREIDA ZAMBA (USA)
2009
SILVANA LIMA (BRA)
1984
KIM MEARIG (USA)
2008
STEPHANIE GILMORE (AUS)
1983
HELEN LAMBERT (AUS)
2007
STEPHANIE GILMORE (AUS)
1982
DEBBIE BEACHAM (AUS)
2005
SOFIA MULANOVICH (PER)
1981
LINDA DAVOLI (AUS)
2001
NERIDAH FALCONER (AUS)
1980
MARGO OBERG (HAW)
2000
MEGAN ABUBO (HAW)
1979
LYNNE BOYER (HAW)
1999
LAYNE BEACHLEY (AUS)
1978
MARGO OBERG (HAW)
1998
LAYNE BEACHLEY (AUS)
1976
MARGO OBERG (HAW)
1997
LISA ANDERSEN (USA)
1975
GAIL COUPER (AUS)
1996
PAULINE MENCZER (AUS)
1974
GAIL COUPER (AUS)
1995
LISA ANDERSEN (USA)
1973
GAIL COUPER (AUS)
1994
LAYNE BEACHLEY (AUS)
1972
GAIL COUPER (AUS)
1993
PAULINE MENCZER (AUS)
1971
GAIL COUPER (AUS)
1974 MP 2 BELLS 0 1975 MP HAT-TRICK 1978 MR WINS ON A TWIN 1981 BIG SIMON BIG BELLS 1986 OCCY V
1992
LISA ANDERSEN (USA)
1970
GAIL COUPER (AUS)
CURREN SEMI 1987 16-YR-OLD NICKY WOOD WINS 1996 DAVO BEATS SLATER 1998 OCCY’S SECOND COMING
1991
PAULINE MENCZER (AUS)
1969
VIVIAN CAMPBELL (AUS)
2001 WIN FOR WILDCARD MICK FANNING 2004 PARKO WINS WITH A TEN 2006 SLATER WINS IN THE BIGGEST
1990
LISA ANDERSEN (USA)
1968
GAIL COUPER (AUS)
WAVES SINCE ’81 PLUS THE BEST OF THE WOMEN AT BELLS GO TO TRACKSMAG.COM/BACKTRACKS
1989
WENDY BOTHA (AUS)
1967
GAIL COUPER (AUS)
1988
KIM MEARIG (USA)
1966
GAIL COUPER (AUS)
1987
JODIE COOPER (AUS)
1964
GAIL COUPER (AUS)
TO HELP CELEBRATE, TRACKS MAGAZINE HAS BROUGHT TO LIFE SOME CLASSIC ARCHIVED PAGES FROM PAST ISSUES. GOING ALL THE WAY BACK TO 1974 AND BACK UP TO 2006, TRACKS DELIVERS MOMENTS OF SURFING EXCELLENCE AND MUCH MORE... EACH VIDEO PRESENTATION IS ACCOMPANIED BY AUDIO COMMENTARY FROM A BELLS LEGEND, PLUS ONLINE PAGE FLIP VERSIONS OF THE ORIGINAL STORIES AS THEY APPEARED IN THE MAG.
PHOTO NATE SMITH
KELLY SLATER
SUNNY GARCIA
SILVANA LIMA
TOP 34 Owen Wright 1. Kelly Slater DOB February 11, 1972 RESIDES Florida, California and Hawaii STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 1994, 2006, 2008, 2010 ASP WORLD TITLES 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010
2. Jordy Smith DOB February 11, 1988 RESIDES Durban, South Africa STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 3rd in 2009
7. Adrian Buchan DOB September 21, 1982 RESIDES Avoca Beach, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 9th in 2010
8. Owen Wright DOB January 16, 1990 RESIDES Lennox Head, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 9th in 2009 (as wildcard)
3. Taj Burrow DOB June 2, 1978 RESIDES Bali, Indonesia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2007
4. Mick Fanning DOB June 13, 1981 RESIDES Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2001 ASP WORLD TITLES 2007, 2009
9. Jeremy Flores DOB April 27, 1988 RESIDES New Caledonia and Capbreton, France STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 9th in 2008
10. Adriano de Souza DOB February 13, 1987 RESIDES Laguna Niguel, California, USA STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 5th in 2010
5. Bede Durbidge DOB February 23, 1983 RESIDES Brisbane, Queensland, Australia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 2nd in 2008
6. Dane Reynolds DOB September 7, 1985 RESIDES Ventura, California, USA STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 5th in 2008
11. CJ Hobgood DOB July 6, 1979 RESIDES Melbourne, Florida, USA STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 3rd in 2003 ASP WORLD TITLES 2001
12. Michel Bourez DOB December 30, 1985 RESIDES Toahutu, Tahiti STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 9th in 2010
13. Chris Davidson DOB December 9, 1976 RESIDES North Narrabeen, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 9th in 1996 (as wildcard)
14. Jason Andre DOB March 13, 1990 RESIDES Guaruja, Brazil STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 9th in 2010
15. Damien Hobgood DOB July 6, 1979 RESIDES Satellite Beach, Florida, USA STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 5th in 2005, 2007
16. Kieran Perrow DOB January 1, 1977 RESIDES Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Regular Bells Best 5th in 2002, 2003, 2009
KELLY SLATER AND MICK FANNING
TOP 34 DUSTY PAYNE 17. Brett Simpson DOB January 5, 1985 RESIDES Huntington Beach, California, USA STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 17th in 2010
18. Joel Parkinson DOB April 10, 1981 RESIDES Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2004
25. Patrick Gudauskas DOB November 20, 1985 RESIDES San Clemente, California, USA STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 17th in 2010
26. Tiago Pires DOB March 13, 1980 RESIDES Ericeira, Portugal STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 9th in 2010
19. Taylor Knox DOB May 15, 1971 RESIDES Carlsbad, California, USA STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 3rd in 1997
20. Heitor Alves DOB April 3, 1982 Resides Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Stance Goofy Bells Best 33rd in 2008
27. Adam Melling DOB March 29, 1985 RESIDES Lennox Head, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 33rd in 2010
28. Daniel Ross DOB February 15, 1983 RESIDES Angourie, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 17th in 2008, 2010
21. Matt Wilkinson DOB September 29, 1988 RESIDES Copacabana, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 17th in 2010
22. Bobby Martinez DOB May 26, 1982 RESIDES Santa Barbara, California, USA STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 3rd in 2008, 2010
29. Raoni Monteiro DOB May 7, 1982 Resides Saquarema, Brazil Stance Natural Bells Best 17th in 2004, 2007
30. Josh Kerr DOB March 29, 1984 Resides Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia and San Diego, California, USA Stance Natural Bells Best 33rd in 2007, 2009
23. Fredrick Patacchia DOB December 15, 1981 RESIDES North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 3rd in 2009
24. Kai Otton DOB December 16, 1979 RESIDES Queenscliff, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 9th in 2008, 2009
31. Alejo Muniz DOB February 22, 1990 Resides Santa Catarina, Brazil Stance Natural Bells Best Rookie
33. Julian Wilson DOB November 8, 1988 Resides Coolum Beach, Queensland, Australia Stance Natural Bells Best Rookie
JOEL PARKINSON
32. Dusty Payne DOB December 27, 1988 RESIDES Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 17th in 2010
34. Gabe Kling DOB August 18, 1980 RESIDES St. Augustine, Florida, USA STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 33rd in 2007
GABRIEL MEDINA
Returning once again as the Sponsor Wildcard, Brazil’s latest surf export will be no easy feat for the Top 34. Last year as a wildcard at the Rip Curl Pro, Gabriel took out the likes of Chris Davidson and CJ Hobgood before falling to his idol, fellow Rip Curl teammate and 2-time ASP World Champion, Mick Fanning, in Round 3. Along with his dangerous first crack at the world’s top surfers, Gabriel netted the Rip Curl GromSeach International title and the ISA World Junior Championships Under-18 crown. And in-between, this 17-year-old phenomenon has been on a proper free-surfing binge, honing his skills and preparing for another assault on this year’s elite stage at the 2011 Rip Curl Pro Presented by FORD, which is sure to be an exercise in air and rail antics that can only be described as purely post-modern.
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Championship Moves Pre-Trials Date: Sunday, April 17th Featuring a 16-man field, consisting of 15 Open and Junior State Series surfers from key competitive clubs in Victoria and this year’s Victorian Indigenous Surfing Champion. The four highest placed surfers from this unique event will earn spots in the Championship Moves Trials. Championship Moves Trials
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www.watersafety.vic.gov.au
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Junior Challenge Date: On standby during the Rip Curl Pro waiting period, between Sunday April 17th and Saturday April 30th This specialty event highlights the Victorian Government water safety initiative. These 16 grommets have been selected by the Surfing Victoria Talent Identification Program and will compete in an elimination event for state bragging rights.
Date: Monday, April 18th Eight local Victorian surfers have the opportunity to compete for the remaining Wildcard in this year’s Men’s Rip Curl Pro. Four of these competitors will come from the Championship Moves Pre-Trials and four will be nominated by Surfing Victoria. The Championship Moves Trials is a second-chance elimination format event. Surfing Victoria-nominated surfers: 1. Nic Muscroft - 2010 top-ranked Victorian WQS surfer 2. Carl Wright - 2010 Victorian Open Champion 3. Todd Rosewall - 2010 top-ranked Pro Junior 4. Adam Robertson - 2010 second-ranked Victorian WQS surfer
NIC MUSCROFT
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2-time ASP World Champion and 2001 Rip Curl Pro Champion, Mick Fanning (AUS).
Life’s better connected.
NEW FIESTA ZETEC
ford.com.au/fiesta STARRING ASP WORLD CHAMPION
MICK FANNING
Available on iTunes Fiesta_Zetec_A5.indd 1
10/03/11 9:43 AM
TOP 17 TYLER WRIGHT 1. Stephanie GIlmore DOB January 29, 1988 RESIDES Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2007, 2008, 2010 ASP WORLD TITLES 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
2. Sally Fitzgibbons DOB December 19, 1990 RESIDES Gerroa, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 3rd in 2009, 2010
9. Paige Hareb DOB June 6, 1990 RESIDES Oakura, Taranaki, New Zealand STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 5th in 2009
10. Rebecca Woods DOB September 14, 1984 RESIDES Copacabana, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 5th in 2009, 2010
3. Carissa Moore DOB August 27, 1992 RESIDES Honolulu, Hawaii, USA STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 9th in 2010
4. Silvana Lima DOB October 29, 1984 RESIDES Rio de Janeiro, Brazil STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2009
11. Jessi Miley-Dyer DOB May 29, 1986 RESIDES Bronte, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 5th in 2010
12. Laura Enever DOB November 14, 1991 RESIDES North Narrabeen, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST Rookie
5. Sofia Mulanovich DOB June 24, 1983 RESIDES Lima, Peru STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2005 ASP WORLD TITLES 2004
6. Chelsea Hedges DOB October 15, 1983 RESIDES Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Goofy ASP WORLD TITLES 2005 BELLS BEST 3rd in 2010
13. Tyler Wright DOB March 31, 1994 RESIDES Lennox Head, New South Wales, Australia STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 9th in 2009 (as wildcard)
14. Courtney Conlogue DOB August 25, 1992 RESIDES Santa Ana, California, USA STANCE Regular BELLS BEST Rookie
7. Coco Ho DOB April, 28, 1991 RESIDES Sunset Beach, Hawaii, USA STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 5th in 2010
8. Melanie Bartels DOB May 2, 1982 RESIDES Makaha, Hawaii, USA STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 5th in 2010
15. Jacqueline Silva DOB July 17, 1979 RESIDES Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 5th in 1999, 2007, 2009
16. Pauline Ado DOB February 14, 1991 Resides Anglet, France Stance Natural Bells Best Rookie
17. Alana Blanchard DOB March 5, 1990 RESIDES Kauai, Hawaii, USA STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 9th in 2009
WILDCARD Bethany Hamilton
STEPHANIE GILMORE AND SOFIA MULANOVICH
DOB February 8, 1990 Resides Kauai, Hawaii, USA Stance Goofy Bells Best First-time Wildcard
PRESENTS THE NEW WAKE SERIES AT THE
ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TITLE 18-SURFER FORMAT: Round 1: Six three-woman heats, 1st advances to Round 3, 2nd and 3rd go to Round 2 Round 2: Six woman-on-woman heats, 1st to Round 3, 2nd bows out with an Equal 13th place
NEW Round 3, Telstra Power Round: Four 3-woman heats, 1st advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd and 3rd go to Round 4 MATT WILKINSON
After a transition year in 2010, the re-vamped 2011 ASP World Tour is off-and-running and already looking like a well-oiled machine. The main changes came in the reduction of the competitive field — 36 Men, down from 48 under the old format — and the introduction of the non-elimination, three-man Round 4. A non-elimination, three-woman Round 3 has also been implemented for the Women. What has resulted is higher action, go-for-broke surfing from both genders where the days of three turns to the beach are long gone and the era of big manoeuvres and combos has officially arrived. And with the Rip Curl Pro being such a diverse event — where the surfers could face anything from the massive open-ocean right-hand walls of Bells or Winkipop to the thumping and shifty beachbreak A-frames of Johanna, 13th Beach or Woolamai — surfing fans the world over are sure to witness a complete spectrum of the best progressive tactics that these men and women are capable of.
Round 4: Four woman-on-woman heats, 1st advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd bows out with an Equal 9th place Quarterfinals: Four woman-on-woman heats, 1st advances to Semifinals, 2nd bows out with an Equal 5th place Semifinals: Two woman-on-woman heats, 1st advances to Finals, 2nd bows out with an Equal 3rd place Final: One woman-on-woman heat, 1st and 2nd place
THE NUMBER ONE BRAND IN WATERCRAFT
TYLER WRIGHT
ASP MEN’S WORLD TITLE 36-SURFER FORMAT: Round 1: 12 three-man heats, 1st advances to Round 3, 2nd and 3rd go to Round 2 Round 2: 12 man-on-man heats, 1st to Round 3, 2nd bows out with an Equal 25th place Round 3: 12 man-on-man heats, 1st to Round 4, 2nd bows out with an Equal 13th place
NEW Round 4, Telstra Power Round: Four 3-man heats, 1st advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd and 3rd go to Round 5 Round 5: Four man-on-man heats, 1st advances to Quarterfinals, 2nd bows out with an Equal 9th place Quarterfinals: Four man-on-man heats, 1st advances to Semifinals, 2nd bows out with an Equal 5th place Semifinals: Two man-on-man heats, 1st advances to Finals, 2nd bows out with an Equal 3rd place Final: One man-on-man heat, 1st and 2nd place
JUDGING To better clarify their claim of ultra-modern big manoeuvres and combos, this is what the 2011 ASP Judging Criteria is looking for: Surfers must perform to the ASP Judging Key Concepts to maximise their scoring potential. • Commitment and Degree of Difficulty • Innovative and Progressive Manoeuvres • Combination of Major Manoeuvres • Variety of Manoeuvres • Speed, Power and Flow
RESPECT. TO ANYONE WHO HAS SPENT TIME IN A BARREL.
It is important to note that the emphasis on certain concepts is contingent upon the location and the conditions on the day, as well as changes of conditions during the day. Scale Utilised: 0.0 – 1.9 = Poor 2.0 – 2.9 = Fair 4.0 – 5.9 = Average 6.0 – 7.9 = Good 8.0 – 10.0 = Excellent
JIM BEAM. THE SPIRIT OF SURFING. PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE RIP CURL PRO IN ITS 50TH YEAR.
POWERED By
Before the 1993 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, event mobility wasn’t a part of the World Tour game. The swell forecast looked grim over that fateful Easter weekend though, and Rip Curl founders Doug “Claw” Warbrick and Brian Singer decided to pull a little trick that worked magic for them back in 1972 when the Bells Beach Easter Rally went equally as dead flat: They packed up the remaining surfers, judges, staff, and all their devoted surf fans and drove the event two hours down the coast to the better-exposed Johanna Beach, where they were greeted with beautiful 6-foot beachbreak A-frames. This bold move in 1993 sparked the revolutionary Dream Tour and waiting period ethos that helped transform the face of professional surfing forever. That final day at Johanna saw Damien “Dooma” Hardman take his second Bell home and, along with it, a unique slice of pro surfing history. Eighteen years later, Dooma is the Rip Curl Pro Contest Director, which means he is responsible for making the tough calls when Bells goes quiet. So who better to break down the 2011 Bells Beach locations than Dooma?
2. WINKIPOP
3. JOHANNA BEACH
Vitals
Vitals
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Swell Direction: Southwest Swell Size: 2-8 feet (1-2.5 metres) Wind Direction: Northwest Tide: Low-Mid Type: Right Reef Pointbreak
“Winki is a favourite of most of the guys on the World Tour today. It is a really fast, down-the-line wave that on its best days can resemble aspects of J-bay. The wave has two defined take-off spots: The top of the point is known as Uppers and the bottom, Lowers. Some of the best waves come through at Lowers because it gets really hollow and fast.”
Swell Direction: Southwest Swell Size: 4-6 feet (1-2 metres) Wind Direction: Northeast Tide: Depends on the bank Type: Beachbreak
“Johanna is where we go when we really have our backs up against the wall — like if we’ve got one or two days left in the waiting period and Bells is dead flat. If there is any swell in the Southern Ocean, Johanna will pick it up. If the sand banks are in great shape, you can get some of the best beachbreak waves in the world out there.”
1. BELLS BEACH Vitals • • • • •
Swell Direction: Southwest Swell Size: 4-10 feet (1-3 metres) Wind Direction: North, Northwest Tide: High (Rincon), Low (the Bowl) Type: Right Reef Pointbreak
“Bells Beach has two breaks that we focus on: Rincon and the Bowl. Rincon works best when the tide is really high — around 2-4 feet. Out of the two, Rincon is probably the least preferred option at Bells. However, on a big swell you can roll into the open ocean Rincon peak, get a few power carves off before ricocheting into the Bowl, which is what has made Bells Beach so famous. The Bowl works from about 3 feet all the way up to 15 and possibly bigger, but the optimum conditions are 4-10 feet. When it’s on, there are few waves on the planet that can accentuate a flawless bottom-turn like the Bowl, not to mention raw power surfing and even the illusive barrel ride.”
PHOTO: STEVE ARKLAY
PHOTO: ASP/KirSTIN
4. 13TH BEACH
5. WOOLAMAI, PHILLIP ISLAND
Vitals
Vitals
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MICK FANNING
Swell Direction: Southwest Swell Size: 2-5 feet (1-1.5 metres) Wind Direction: Northeast Tide: Low Type: Beachbreak
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“Located only a 15-minute drive from Torquay, 13th Beach is a good alternative if the swell and wind are wrong for Bells but it’s good enough to not have to drive all the way to Johanna. Breaking over flat reef as well as sand banks, 13th offers up punchy A-frame peaks that, in the right conditions, can bring out the best in high-performance action.”
PHOTO: STEVE ARKLAY
THE BELLS LINE–UP
Swell Direction: Southwest Swell Size: 2-5 feet (1-1.5 metres) Wind Direction: Northeast Tide: Depends on the bank Type: Beachbreak
“Woolamai is about a 4-hour drive from Torquay. Lucky for us, it’s a lot like Johanna as in it is a Southern Ocean swell magnet, but it still works on a north wind and can even handle a southeast wind. It’s one of those places that has A-frame banks all up and down the beach and on its day it can be as good as any beachbreak in the world.”
PHOTO: Liam ROBERTSON
The official surf forecaster for the 2011 Rip Curl Pro Presented by FORD
“It’s a world record for me: I’ve never made a speech only having had six beers before.” — SIMON ANDERSON “For $1,500 I’m prepared to go as crazy as necessary.” — MICHAEL PETERSON Go through the laundry list of names that have graced the Bells Beach winner’s podium and you’ve got a definitive collection of surfing’s most influential and entertaining characters. Here are some of the most legendary soundbites from surfing’s most legendary names.
“Everyone who has ever gotten a Bell has talked proudly of it. The Bell is literally like having a World Title trophy.” — KELLY SLATER
“The Bell means so much because of its long history and the people who have won it: my surfing idols.” — TOM CURREN “Every surfer that ever goes to Bells wants to ring that Bell.” — JOEL PARKINSON
“Imagine you’re a kid and your whole life you hear about Bells Beach, a perfect right-hand pointbreak. It’s one of the hardest contests in the world to win and you finally did it...” — RICHIE COLLINS SUNNY GARCIA
“To get that Bell — to hold it and ring it —and to bring it home and put it on your mantel piece, I think to this day it’s the only trophy that matters in pro surfing... the rest of the trophies are totally f#@ked in comparison.” — MARK RICHARDS
“Look at all the names on the trophy... no kook has ever won Bells.” — SHANE DORIAN
“Today they put the surfing back into pro surfing.” — DAMIEN HARDMAN (in 1993 when the finals were moved to Johanna)
“The excitement that you’d feel when you’d see the rooster tails of white water flying off the backs of the waves, the beautiful blue ocean, and you know already that it’s a 6- to 8-foot swell.” — BRIAN SINGER
“It’s not just an event, it’s a part of our culture, a part of our lifestyle, and a part of who we are.” — MARTIN POTTER
“My God, I’m freaking out... this is a dream come true. I can’t even believe it yet!”— ANDY IRONS
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Peruvian Sofia Mulanovich became the first nonAustralian/North American to win Bells in 2005.
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Gail Couper won the first Women’s event at the Bells Easter Rally in 1964 and went on to win nine more times, including three Rip Curl Pro titles in 1974, ’75 and ’76.
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Hawaiian Jeff Hakman became the first nonAustralian to win the Rip Curl Pro in 1976
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Nat Young became the first multiple Bells Easter Rally winner in 1967 (he won first in 1966 then again in 1970).
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The first Easter Rally was actually held on Australia Day weekend (January 26), 1962, but the event winner, Glynn Ritchie suggested that the next year should be held on Easter weekend so that he and the rest of the Sydney crew could make it down to compete.
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1964 was the first year that the Bells Easter Rally was run by the Victorian branch of the Australian Surfriders Association, which is now know as Surfing Victoria. Surfing Victoria still co-runs the event today.
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In 1972, Rip Curl founders Doug “Claw” Warbrick and Brian Singer led all the surfers on a hunt for contestable waves after Bells failed to break. This mobile manoeuvre was the first of its kind in surf contest history.
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In 1987, Queenslander Nicky Wood became the youngest male surfer to ever win a WCT at age 16.
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In the 1992 final against Martin Potter, Richie Collins collided with the Bells rock and had to be rushed out of the water and into an awaiting ambulance. Meanwhile, with 15 minutes left, Potter sat alone in the line-up, dumbfounded, and lost as the ocean went quiet. Collins later accepted his Bell from the ambulance.
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In 1996, surfing’s newly minted prince, Kelly Slater, came up against Sydney’s brash young competitor, Chris Davidson, in Round 3, who showed up dubiously late for the heat on a borrowed board and took the Champ down.
“I feel like I’m watching me come back... it doesn’t feel like me, it feels like I’m watching my brother or something.” — MARK OCCHILUPO “It hasn’t sunk in yet. But I guess it’ll sink in tonight after I sink a few.” — MATT HOY “Every event should be like Bells!” — BARTON LYNCH SIMON ANDERSON
“I just sat there and prayed, ‘please send me a wave.’ And it came.” — SUNNY GARCIA
KELLY SLATER
“It was so removed from big cities. It’s really peaceful... I got into that a lot... For whatever reason, I was in sync with that wave.” — LISA ANDERSEN
MATT HOY
ANDY IRONS
LISA ANDERSEN
PRESENTS
What better way to kick off your competitive career than to surf with your heroes? Welcome to the 2011 Rip Curl GromSearch International final, held in conjunction with the Rip Curl Pro Presented by FORD. After a year’s worth of national competitions, the top 16-and-under male and female finalists out of a field of over 700 from Australia, Europe, Brazil, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the USA will converge onto Bells Beach and battle it out for the 2011 GromSearch International Title. Past GromSearch champions include Jordy Smith, Owen Wright, Tyler Wright, Matt Wilkinson, Alana Blanchard, Sally Fitzgibbons, Paige Hareb and Bruna Schmitz, so whoever grabs the titles this year will be joining a champion’s list as elite as that of the Rip Curl Pro.
MATT WILKINSON
Matt Wilkinson • •
HOW IT WORKS Two Australian champions (one male, one female) will join two winners per nation from the International Rip Curl GromSearch Series’ (also one male and one female).
The 2010 GromSearch International final saw Brazilian Gabriel Medina edge out Australian Creed McTaggart and USA’s Kolohe Andino to further enhance his reputation as the most exciting 16-year-old on the planet. For the ladies, it was South African Bianca Buitendag who beat Hawaii’s Nage Melamed and Australia’s Brodie Doyle to take the crown. It is results like this that illustrate one of the core values of the global GromSearch series: that anyone from anywhere can find themselves battling it out in the International Final under the watchful eyes of the pros at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. It all starts at local beaches around the world where regional GromSearch events hit the water with hundreds of juniors surfing with their friends and pushing the limits.
2004 GromSearch Boys Champion Current World Number 5 after Event 1 on the 2011 ASP Men’s World Tour
Tyler Wright • •
2007 GromSearch Girls Champion Current World Number 2 after Event 1 on the 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour
WHEN IT GOES DOWN
Owen Wright
The 2011 GromSearch International Final enjoys the same waiting period as the Rip Curl Pro Men and Women, so stay close to all the action in the water for the official grom green light!
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2006 GromSearch Boys Champion 2010 ASP Rookie of the Year
As the Rip Curl GromSearch mantra goes: The most important surfers in the world are the grommets!
GABRIEL MEDINA
INTERNATIONAL GROMSEARCH FINALISTS Australia Mitch Parkinson (QLD) Ellie-Jean Coffey (NSW) Nikki Van Dijk (VIC) Europe Paul Cesar Distinguin Carina Duarte Brazil Deivid Silva Vitoria Pereira
TYLER WRIGHT
KOLOHE ANDINO
Indonesia Jeren Kiring New Zealand Ben Poulter Jayda Martin-Fitzharris USA Koa Smith Qunicy Davis For more information on the Rip Curl GromSearch, go to ripcurl.com.au/gromsearch
OWEN WRIGHT
NIKKI VAN DIJK
Torquay is known world-wide as Australia’s surfing capital, home to the spiritual Bells Beach and birthplace of Rip Curl.
20. Grab a copy of What’s On, the Surf Coast’s local magazine, and check out all the events and gigs in Torquay.
Torquay is also the gateway to Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, one of many cozy towns along the Surf Coast and the hot-spot to be during the Easter holidays.
21. Take a day-trip to the Twelve Apostles.
Visitors should allow a few days to see all of the attractions in the region, so keep this checklist with you at all times and start ticking them off...
1. Explore Australia’s rich surf culture and history at Torquay Surf World Museum. 2. Spend some time at Point Addis with the wild kangaroos, wombats and echidnas. 3. Snap a new Facebook profile pic at the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch. 4. Order the Torquay Tantaliser Pizza at Bird Rock Bar & Restaurant
22. Take the kids to Mini Golf at Tigermoth World in Torquay. 23. Enjoy a BBQ by the bush, beach or river. There are plenty along the Torquay foreshore and around Anglesea. 24. Pick up some new surfwear at Rip Curl’s Torquay Retail Store in the Surf City Plaza. 25. Get a pro surfer’s signature while you’re at the Rip Curl Pro! For further information contact the Torquay Visitor Information Centre. Open 9am-5pm, 7 days per week. Our friendly volunteers and staff are happy to assist with any enquiries. Call 1300 61 42 19
To make the most of your stay go to www.visittorquay.org
5. Stroll the 6.5km beach walk between Point Impossible and Point Danger. 6. Taste-test the wide variety of Surf Coast Wines (Visit Longboard Wines, Bellbrae Estate, Brown Magpie, The Minya, Otway Estate, and Pettavel). 7. Play a round of golf with over 1000 resident kangaroos at Anglesea Golf Course. 8. Walk to to Erskine Falls in the Great Otway National Park. 9. Skydive with a high-altitude jump over Bells Beach.
2011 Rip Curl Pro Merchandise is available at the Rip Curl store on–site at Bells Beach, online at www.ripcurl.com.au and at Rip Curl retail stores.
10. Take a learn-to-surf lesson with one of Torquay’s many accredited surf schools. 11. Head down to the Torquay Bowls Club for your own “day on the green”. 12. Play some tennis at the Spring Creek Reserve Courts in Torquay and Bob Pettit Reserve in Jan Juc. 13. Hit up the Torquay Skate Park behind the Surf City Plaza. 14. Ride a horse at Airey’s Inlet with Blazing Saddles or Spring Creek Trail Rides.
Visit Rip Curl’s Torquay location to check out the full range of winter apparel and huge selection of surfboards and wetsuits.
15. Get nude at Point Addis Beach — one of two “clothing optional” beaches on the Surf Coast. The first nude surfing competition in Australia was held here. 16. Spot a Koala on Grey River Road in Kennett River. 17. Skype your family back home — Torquay Visitor Centre offers Internet for visitors. 18. Visit Cape Otway Lightstation — the oldest lighthouse on mainland Australia. 19. Enjoy a close-up view of the rainforest from 25 metres above the ground with an Otway Fly Tree Top Walk.
PHOTO: GREAT OCEAN ROAD MARKETING
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More infomation and all stores listed at www.ozmosis.com.au
FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE A free shuttle will run from Torquay and Jan Juc to Bells Beach (and back) every day of the Rip Curl Pro. Enjoy yourself — get there the easy way and don’t drink and drive! Rip Curl Store Surfcost Hwy
Growlers Esplanade, Torquay
Torquay Hotel Bell St, Torquay
Bird Rock Cafe Stuart Ave, Jan Juc
Bells Beach Event Location
Staying connected to the Rip Curl Pro is as easy as...
1 Live Webcast @ www.live.ripcurl.com 2 Live on the Rip Curl Pro Event App — available on iPhone and iPad and in the App Store and the Android Market 3 Live on in Australia & Brazil
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