Caption: Bells Beach is the longest-running professional surfing contest in the world.
Image: ASP / Kirstin Scholtz

BELLS BEACH, VIC/Australia (Wednesday, April 9, 2014) – Stop No. 3 on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, begins one week’s time. The final stop on the Australian leg of professional surfing’s elite tour is one of the most prestigious and the world’s best surfers are turning their attention to Bells Beach, eager to begin their respective campaigns in Victoria.

Located in Torquay, Victoria, Bells Beach is home the longest-running professional surfing contest in the world and has been taking place each year since it’s inception in 1973. ‘Ringing the bell’, or winning at Bells, is one of the most coveted awards on the surfing calendar and a crucial part of the ASP World Title race for both the ASP Top 34 and Top 17.

The natural amphitheater and unique pointbreak ensure an amazing show at Bells Beach, which is comprised of several breaks including The Bowl, Outside Bells and Rincon. The Bowl, the steep final section of the wave, is the main break with Outside Bells producing a long, fast, even wall when surf gets above six feet. Rincon is predominantly a high-tide wave and runs closer to the rocks. The event is mobile with Johanna and Winkipop offering alternatives if necessary, however, the big swells and offshore winds common here at Easter help show off Bells at it’s best.

11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) has earned the right to ring the bell four separate times, Gold Coast talent Joel Parkinson (AUS) notched his third Bells victory in 2011 and, most recently, Adriano de Souza became the first Brazilian male to ring the Bell in 2013.

Five-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP WCT No. 1 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) has been victorious here three times. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) posted back-to-back wins in 2011 and 2012 and reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP WCT No. 1 (tied with Gilmore) Carissa Moore (HAW) is the defending event winner.

“As far as events go, Bells is one of the most important,” De Souza said. “The list of people who have won here is so prestigious and it’s an honor to be listed amongst them. It’s a special place and I look forward to returning.”

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be held from Wednesday April 16 to Sunday April 27, 2014 and will be webcast LIVE via aspworldtour.com.

Click here to register for media accreditation for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 1 Match-ups:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Malia Manuel (HAW), Alessa Quizon (HAW)
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Coco Ho (HAW), Alana Blanchard (HAW)
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Dimity Stoyle (AUS), TBC
Heat 4: Tyler Wright (AUS), Pauline Ado (FRA), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
Heat 5: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Laura Enever (AUS), Johanne Defay (FRA)
Heat 6: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Lakey Peterson (USA), Paige Hareb (NZL)