HELLS BELLS is back in 2022

ONE OF Victoria’s most prestigious trophies ‘The Bunjil’ will be up for grabs in a fortnight when Torquay Boardriders host its Hells Bells invitational event at Djarrk (Bells Beach).

Hells Bells on June 18 will see competitors gather from different boardriders clubs around the state, with the winner of the event taking home $1000 and the coveted Indigenous inspired trophy.

The event trophy, which was carved by Surf Coast artist Raph Buttonshaw, is of the creator spirit, the eagle ‘Bunjil’ who is the protector of Bells Beach.

The event crown and trophy is one of the more sacred items in Victorian surfing, with winners claiming it as one of the best trophies to win.

“The trophy and the event as a whole are really special and something that carries huge tradition in the local surfing community,” said Torquay Boardriders president and former event winner Harry Mann.

“We are beyond excited to bring together Victoria’s best in this one-day extravaganza event which will no doubt showcase the amazing quality of surfers that we have down in Victoria.

“To not have the event last year due to the pandemic, only means that things are amped up even more for what is going to be a huge event on June 18th.”

The trophy and event will carry plenty of weight, not just in the sheer heaviness of the trophy, but it will also mark the first time the event will feature a lone women’s division on top of the main draw, with the winner also taking home $1000 in cash.

“I’m so proud to be a part of a club that is moving forward with gender equality and introducing equal opportunity and prize money for both men and women,” vice president Bella Wilson said.

“We have so many amazing female surfers coming through the club and the equal pay and opportunities will only enhance our abilities to continue to support those women in the future.”

The event in 2022 will bring together two surfers from each boardriders club, including debutants URBN Surf and Surfcoast Women’s Boardriders.

Torquay Boardriders will fill the 46-person seeded draw out with surfers invited from other clubs as well as their own invited competitors.

Invitations went out formally last week to surfers from around the state, with wildcards into the event also set to be determined by the sub-committee.

Event founder and former Championship Tour surfer Troy Brooks is one of the early wildcard announcements.

Invitee criteria will be determined on previous year event rankings as well as overall merit for surfers who have been competing at a higher level.

The event in 2022 will include special guests and commentators, food trucks, a traditional smoking and opening ceremony as well as plenty of huge giveaways.

“We are stoked to have Quiksilver as a major sponsor for the event as well as plenty of other amazing supporting partners,” Mann said.

“This will no doubt mean plenty of giveaways and good times.”

You can catch the action down at Bells Beach on June 18.

In the meantime, keep up-to-date with event announcements and the full invitee list through the Torquay Boardriders socials in the coming week.