The Rip Curl Pro - the world's longest running and most prestigious professional surfing contest - will this year be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Bells Beach Easter Rally and the Rip Curl Pro in Australia's surfing home of Torquay from April 19 to April 30.
The ASP World Tour's best 34 male surfers, one Rip Curl Wildcard and one local Victorian Wildcard from the Championship Moves Trials will be at Bells over Easter to compete in the year's second ASP World Tour contest. But it will be only one deserving winner who will get to ring the prized Bell on the final day of competition.
ASP World Champion and defending Bells champ Kelly Slater is likely to return to try and break yet another record by winning a fifth Bell, while Australians Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson (who, after a year-ending injury in 2010, is returning to competition in-form and frothing) will be leading the charge for the Aussies. Other superstars to watch out for will be 2010's World Number 2 Jordy Smith, Dane Reynolds and Owen Wright.
The ASP Women's World Tour surfers will also be at Bells this Easter, as will the world's hottest 16-year-old junior talent, who will be in town competing in the international final of the Rip Curl GromSearch Series.
In tow with the action in the water, there will be plenty happening on land for fans, visitors and surfers alike, between the famous Bells contest site, the local pubs and legendary parties around town.
The Rip Curl Pro is the only professional sporting event allowed to be held on Easter Friday in Australia and since it's celebrating 50 years of competition at Bells, there is no better place to be for all sport fans!
The ASP World Tour's best 34 male surfers, one Rip Curl Wildcard and one local Victorian Wildcard from the Championship Moves Trials will be at Bells over Easter to compete in the year's second ASP World Tour contest. But it will be only one deserving winner who will get to ring the prized Bell on the final day of competition.
ASP World Champion and defending Bells champ Kelly Slater is likely to return to try and break yet another record by winning a fifth Bell, while Australians Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson (who, after a year-ending injury in 2010, is returning to competition in-form and frothing) will be leading the charge for the Aussies. Other superstars to watch out for will be 2010's World Number 2 Jordy Smith, Dane Reynolds and Owen Wright.
The ASP Women's World Tour surfers will also be at Bells this Easter, as will the world's hottest 16-year-old junior talent, who will be in town competing in the international final of the Rip Curl GromSearch Series.
In tow with the action in the water, there will be plenty happening on land for fans, visitors and surfers alike, between the famous Bells contest site, the local pubs and legendary parties around town.
The Rip Curl Pro is the only professional sporting event allowed to be held on Easter Friday in Australia and since it's celebrating 50 years of competition at Bells, there is no better place to be for all sport fans!