Bells to host WSL World Longboard Tour

THE World Surf League (WSL) World Longboard Tour is coming to Bells Beach next year and the year after as part of a new-look, four-stop lineup.

The Bells Beach Longboard Classic will run from August 30-September 2, 2023 and see 48 of the world’s best longboarders do battle including two local and two national wildcards.

It is one of four events on the 2023 World Longboard Tour.

The event is thanks to a new two-year agreement between the WSL and the Victorian government, building on the already strong relationship which includes the famous Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

The Bells Beach Longboard Classic will be a throwback to the early days of competition at Bells, which has been hosting professional surfing events for almost six decades.

“We’re backing more events at regional destinations across the state, delivering more visitors and generating more jobs in the towns and businesses that call them home,” Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos.

“The five-day festival will attract thousands of visitors to the Surf Coast to catch all the action out on the water and enjoy what the region has to offer.”

WSL Australia and Pacific general manager Andrew Stark said the sport’s international governing body was proud to be continuing the strong tradition of world class surfing events at Bells Beach.

“2023 will see a new look Longboard World Tour with one of the four stops being held at this iconic location, which offers fantastic conditions for traditional longboard surfing.

We’d like to thank the Victorian Government and the Surf Coast Shire along with Surfing Victoria for their ongoing support and we look forward to delivering a fantastic event as part of the 2023 Longboard World Tour.”

The Bells Beach Longboard Classic has also been made possible thanks to the World Surf League’s ongoing partnership with the Surf Coast Shire.

The opportunity for WSL to host an additional surfing event at Bells Beach is specifically provided for in the Bells Beach Events Policy.

“This is the only event on the World Longboard Tour to be held in Australia, so it’s an exciting opportunity for the Surf Coast,” Surf Coast Shire mayor Libby Stapleton.

“We look forward to welcoming the world’s best longboarders to Bells for this free event.”

Surfing Victoria chief executive officer Adam Robertson said Victoria had a rich history of longboarding, which included many nationally successful longboard surfers.

“It’s fantastic that there is now another world class surfing event here in Victoria, showcasing the best longboarders on the planet.

“It’s also amazing to be able to provide the opportunity for one Victorian man and one Victorian woman to receive a wildcard into the event to surf on the world stage.

“A big thank you to the World Surf League, Visit Victoria and the Surf Coast Shire for their work to bring an event of this calibre to Victoria. We look forward to delivering a successful event.”

The one-day Bells Beach Longboard Classic Australian Trials will be held at Torquay Point on August 29, 2023 and will feature 24 male and 24 female surfers vying for two wildcards (one male and one female) into the Bells Beach Longboard Classic.

The Victorian wildcard spots will be offered through the Victorian Longboard Titles, with dates to be announced in the coming week.

“Bells can be an absolutely perfect wave for longboard surfing,” Victorian Longboard champion Ben Considine said.

“Whether it’s Rincon or The Bowl, the wave offers up great sections for critical nose-riding and powerful carving surfing.

“I think all of the local surfers will be so excited to see a longboard event of this size coming to Bells, I don’t think we’ve ever seen anything like this held here but it will be so good to see the professionals out there showcasing our wave and what it offers for that style of surfing.”

The World Longboard Tour will conclude at one of the sport’s proving grounds, First Point in Malibu, California from October 3-13, 2023.

Surfers’ best results will be used to determine the seedings at Malibu ahead of that event deciding the 2023 world titles and final 2023 rankings.