Rip Curl Pro comes back to Bells in 2022

THE Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be back in 2022, with the World Surf League (WSL) announcing the long-running event would return to its traditional timeslot over the Easter weekend.

In its 59th year of competition, the event will open the Australian leg of the WSL Championship Tour (CT) for the first time in more than two decades.

In 2020 and 2021, WSL made the difficult decision to cancel the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach due to the COVID-19 pandemic. but the event will be locked into Bells for at least the next three years, via a new deal signed between the WSL, Rip Curl and the Victorian Government earlier this year.

“We’re stoked to see the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach return in 2022,” said WSL APAC general manager Andrew Stark said.

“Bells is one of the most historic events on the WSL calendar and to have it back in its traditional time of the Easter Weekend is so important to the WSL.

“To miss it this year was a shame but we thank Rip Curl, Visit Victoria and all of our partners for the event for their understanding amidst the global pandemic and ongoing support and we can’t wait to return in 2022 and see one of the world’s best ring that bell.”

Rip Curl’s chief brand and marketing officer Neil Ridgway said running the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach and hearing the bell ring on the victory day was among the company’s top three objectives for 2022.

“It brings so much deep joy to surfers across the world at so many levels and it’s the heart and soul of our brand.

I’m sure that the WSL and the Victorian Government will move mountains to make it happen.

“Having said that, we know the realities of playing in world sport in the COVID world. Fingers crossed.”

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said Victorians were excited about the return of the world’s best surfers to the famous breaks of Bells Beach.

“The Rip Curl Pro is renowned around the globe and much loved by Victorians – it’s fantastic that we’ll be kicking off the Australian leg of the world league in 2022.

The best female and male surfers love coming here, and we can’t wait to welcome them and all the fans who will be making a beeline for Victoria’s beautiful Surf Coast.

We’re proud of our standing as Australia’s major events leader and we’ll continue to back icons like the Rip Curl Pro which provide enormous exposure for our state and a significant boost for local businesses.”

Surf Coast Shire mayor Libby Stapleton said Bells Beach at Easter was like the AFL Grand Final in September or Test cricket on Boxing Day.

“It’s more than just a sporting event, it’s part of our identity, and whilst the cancellation was understandable and necessary, we are very glad to welcome the Rip Curl Pro back home for 2022.

“The Rip Curl Pro has produced some amazing memories for so many in our community and there is always a buzz when the tour is in town.

“The fabled Easter swell, combined with the beautiful natural amphitheatre, make Bells Beach a spectacular location for the competitors and spectators and we look forward to hosting the 2022 return of the Rip Curl Pro.”

The 2022 WSL CT will include 10 regular season events in seven countries, starting in January at the world-famous Pipeline in Hawai’i, for the first-ever men’s and women’s joint event.

There will be one other Australian event, at Margaret River from April 10-20.

The CT will return to G-Land, Indonesia, which is back on the CT for the first time in 24 years for the men and for the first time ever for the women, and conclude in August at the infamous Teahupo’o in Tahiti before the second annual Rip Curl WSL Finals in September, where the WSL final five men’s and women’s surfers will battle for the undisputed World Title.

For more information and the full CT schedule, head to the WSL website.