2019 marks the 57th year of the Rip Curl Pro competition – the second event in the jam-packed World Surf League calendar.
The competition window runs from today until the 27th of April but the pros will only hit the water when the best swell conditions are there. But when the waves are at their peak thousands will descend on Pro Bells beach in Victoria, Australia, to catch a glimpse of the world’s best male and female surfers battling it out to get their hands on the most treasured trophy – the Rip Curl Pro Bell.
Last year Italo Ferreira bagged the top spot with arguably the best goofyfoot display at Bells since Occy’s iconic performances in the ’80s and ’90s. In the final the Brazilian narrowly beat Mick Fanning, who was surfing his last ever competitive heat. Stephanie Gilmore took out the women’s event to ring the bell for a record fourth time.
According to Surfline the current conditions have been predicted as touch and go with the potential for better surf after Easter Sunday.
