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When did the Bells Beach surf Comp start?

When did the Bells Beach surf Comp start?

1961
The Bells Beach Surf Classic aka the Rip Curl Pro is a surfing competition which has been held annually at Easter time at Bells Beach, Victoria continuously since 1961, becoming a professional competition in 1973. The trophy is in the form of a bell, for the name of the beach.

Is the Bells Beach 50 year storm real?

The Inaugural 50 Year Storm Runs In Large Waves At Bells Beach | Surfing Australia. For Immediate Release: After five years of waiting, the inaugural 50 Year Storm event was held today at Bells Beach. The surf was “storm surf” in the triple overhead size (8-10ft+) waves at the Bells Bowl.

Why is Bells Beach so famous?

The beach gained its international fame as the location of the annual Rip Curl Pro event. The event is nearly sixty years old and the longest running event of the World Surf League World Championship Tour. The events iconic bell trophy is one of the most sought-after surfing titles in the world.

What year was the first Rip Curl Pro held at Bells Beach Victoria and who was the first individual to win the event?

1973
The first Rip Curl Pro in 1973 was very small beer indeed, with surfers competing for cash prizes which amounted to little more than their petrol and living expenses, and considerably less than their airfares! But the contest, won by the legendary Michael Peterson, set the wheels of the professional train in motion.

Where did the 50 year storm make landfall?

Carla made landfall on the afternoon of the 11th on the northeast part of Matagorda Island as a strong Category 4 hurricane with a minimum central pressure of 931 millibars, or 27.49 inches of mercury, and sustained winds of 145 mph.

Who discovered Bells Beach?

The discovery of Bells Beach as a surfing place was during the 1950s when members of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club rode their motorcycles along the cliffs and carved out a rough track. In 1960 Joe Sweeney (1932-2015) hired a bulldozer and upgraded the track and extended it to Bells Beach.

Did Keanu Reeves really surf in Point Break?

Did Keanu Reeves learn to surf for “Point Break”? The answer is yes! Much like his character, Johnny Utah, had to learn to surf to chase down leads, Reeves had to learn to surf in order to make the film.

How did Bells Beach get its name?

Bells Beach is a coastal locality of Victoria, Australia in Surf Coast Shire and a renowned surf beach, located 100 km south-west of Melbourne, on the Great Ocean Road near the towns of Torquay and Jan Juc. It is named after William Bell, a Master Mariner, who owned much of the property there since the 1840s.

Where did the name Billabong come from?

Gold Coast, Australia
Billabong/Place founded

Where was Bells Beach Point Break?

Although the final scene of the film is set at Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia, the scene was filmed at Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, located in Cannon Beach, Oregon.

Can Patrick Swayze really surf?

Patrick Swayze was an accomplished skydiver, and took part in the big skydiving scene. He made fifty-five jumps in total. For many of the surfing scenes, Patrick Swayze refused to use a stunt double, as he never had one for fight scenes or car chases.

When was the first surfing competition at Bells Beach?

The following year the first surfing competition was held, the Bells Beach Easter Rally which became an annual event. By 1973 this event was included on the World Competitive Tour (WCT) and has since been known as the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. The competition has famously been held over the Easter long weekend to honour tradition.

When did the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach start?

By 1973 this event was included on the World Competitive Tour (WCT) and has since been known as the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. The competition has famously been held over the Easter long weekend to honour tradition.

Where is the Rip Curl surfing Classic held?

The Rip Curl Pro (formerly the Bells Beach Surf Classic) is held annually in Victoria and is a professional surfing competition that attracts visitors to Bells Beach every Easter.

What’s the longest running surfing event in Australia?

The event at Bells Beach is the longest consecutive running surf event on the competitive circuit and in Australia. Long before surfing had made it to the now-iconic destination, the land surrounding Bells Beach was home to the Gulidjan Aboriginal people.