Rip Curl Pro

The Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach is Australia’s longest running and most prestigious professional surfing event. It is Stop 2 of 10 on the ASP Men’s World Tour and one of the favourite stops for many pros.

The Rip Curl Pro is one of six Victorian Government-designated Hallmark International Sporting Events held in this state each year – an honour it shares with the Melbourne Formula 1, Phillip Island Moto GP, Australian Tennis Open, Melbourne Cup and the AFL Grand Final. 

The Rip Curl Pro will feature the world’s top 45 ASP surfers plus two Rip Curl Wildcard competitors and one local Victorian Wildcard decided by the Victoria Place To Be Trials. Reigning ASP World Champion Kelly Slater is also the Rip Curl Pro defending champion after winning his third Bell in Easter 2008. Surfing’s greatest pulled off a remarkable last-minute win over Australian Bede Durbidge in the Final and will come into the event as hot favourite this year.  Although Kelly now has three Bell trophies (’94, ’06, ’08) the Rip Curl Pro hasn’t always been kind to the nine-time ASP World Champ.  “Bells can be a hard wave to work out and I think I’m still learning things about it." 

The Rip Curl Women’s Pro is Stop 2 of 8 on the ASP Women’s World Tour and a favourite for many of this year’s competitors. The Rip Curl Women’s Pro will feature the world’s top 17 ASP surfers plus one Wildcard who will win entry via a Trials.

Reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore comes into the contest as hot favourite after winning the Bell for the past two years. Her silky big-carving style is a perfect fit for Bells and her knowledge of the break is second-to-none.