Everything you need to know
If you're a fan of surfing, then the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is definitely an event you don't want to miss.
This competition is one of the longest-running and most prestigious surfing events in the world, and it's held annually at Easter time in Torquay, Victoria, Australia. The Rip Curl Pro is sponsored by Rip Curl - a renowned surf company - and the winner is awarded the coveted 'Bell' trophy.
Learn all about this historic surfing event with our team today.
When and where is it held?
The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is held in the sleepy town of Torquay, Victoria - which is in the south-eastern region of Australia.
The wave of Bells Beach is a long righthander, which means it breaks from left to right. It's one of the most famous and consistent waves in the world and is a favourite spot for many professional surfers.
If the conditions don't align for Bells Beach, there are lots of nearby waves that the Rip Curl Pro crew can move to, such as Johanna Beach and Winkipop.
The event takes place annually at Easter time, and this year it'll be running from Sunday 10th of April to Wednesday April 20th.
How many surfers compete?
Because the Rip Curl Pro is one of the WSL (World Surf League) tour stops, it's surfed by every single surfer on the tour.
This year there are a total of 36 competitors from the men's side of the tour with another 18 from the women. All of these surfers are professional-level shredders, which means only the best of the best make it through to compete at Bells.
However, included within these numbers are a number of wildcard competitors. These are surfers who have either been given a chance to compete as a result of their impressive performances at other tour stops or who have won a special online vote.
At Bells Beach, Rip Curl always gives back to the local surfing community by awarding one wildcard spot to the best local surfer.
Who are the favourites?
The Bells Beach WSL event is such a famous event that the competition is always very strong.
Historically, regular foot surfers (left foot forward on their board) in the world always tend to do well at Bells. So it's no surprise that the likes of John John Florence, Italo Ferreira, Griffin Colapinto and Jordy Smith are among the favourites this year.
As for the women's, Steph Gilmore and Carissa Moore will be front runners. However, as with all surfing competitions, it depends on the conditions on the day.
Big and stormy conditions will favour the power surfers, while smaller conditions will be ideal for the aerialists.
Who are the most successful Rip Curl Pro surfers?
When it comes to the all-time most successful Rip Curl Pro surfers, there are a few who have dominated over the years.
Mark Occhilupo is one of those, with one Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title to his name (plus a number of memorable performances). Kelly Slater is another legendary surfer who has taken out the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach on no fewer than four occasions - most recently in 2010.
Then there's Mick Fanning, who also has four Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach titles to his name and has been recently given a wildcard entry into the event.
Let's not forget either that Tom Curren, the '80s and '90s surfing icon, is a two times Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach champion too. Unfortunately for fans of the stylish Californian, Curren won't be given a wildcard entry.
What is the prize for a podium finish?
Besides the adoration of fans around the world and the chance to ring the iconic "Bell" trophy, surfers who finish in top places during this event will win prize money plus points that go towards their world tour ranking.
Where can I watch the event live?
There are a couple of places where you can watch the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach as it unfolds.
The first and best place to see it is in person at Bells Beach. Not only is Torquay a beautiful town, but the contest area is simply stunning. With the waves crashing against the rocks and the sand stretching for what seems like miles, it's definitely a sight to see.
If you're not able to make it down to Australia, there are still a few options for you. The WSL has a live stream on their website that you can watch. Just go to their website and search for Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. They'll have all the latest news, videos, and photos from the event as it happens (mobile and desktop friendly).
So that's it!
We hope you enjoy the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Whether you're watching in person or online, it's sure to be an amazing event. Make sure to cheer for your favourite surfer (and visit Uptown Pokies between heats).
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