From car park to classic: How Bells takes shape

A 45-day effort powered by “grit, determination and energy” is what it takes to transform the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach site from a concrete car park into a working event hub.

More than 500 people contribute across the build, led by Surfing Victoria operations manager Kahlia Dix, with crews often working close to 12-hour days in the lead-up to the surfing event.

“It’s felt like three months of work, but we started about three weeks ago,” Dix said.

“We’ve had a small crew of five or six of us on site at all times, plus 50 contractors, and as the build has gone on, that’s gone up to hundreds and hundreds.”

The process starts with mapping out the site – cones marking where each element will sit – before contractors move in.

Teams travel from across the state to help install scaffolding for decks and grandstands, erect marquees and begin shaping the footprint of what Dix describes as a “mini city”.

From there, the detail work begins.

Furniture is brought in to fit out spaces including the athlete lounge and VIP areas, followed by branding, signage and merchandising that gives the site its unmistakable Bells identity.Catering is the final piece, with facilities set up to service hundreds of staff, surfers and their support crews.

“I’d like to say I do it all, but it’s a whole lot bigger than just me,” Dix said. “We all put in and it’s great to see it all come together.”

Dix said the only major build change this year is a relocated Rip Curl merchandise area, complete with a large screen.

The grandstands, VIP lounge and athlete area will remain at the lower end of the site.

Despite its familiarity, the Bells layout continues to test the team.

“The Bells site in itself is a really challenging one,” Dix said. “We don’t have too much space to play around with, but we make it work.

“That incline is hectic. We have really big ideas often, but it doesn’t fit in all the time.”

Dix said there are two moments throughout the event that make what they do completely worth it.

“When the site goes live, and you see the public enjoying it for the first time it’s an amazing moment,” she said.

“The other major achievement is obviously when that last truck leaves the site on day 45 and we get to the finish line.

“The guys that are first to put out the first traffic cone are the ones who are rounding it out. We have a great celebration.”