Hells Bells postponed due to lack of swell

THE ocean was relatively quiet over the weekend, resulting in Torquay Boardriders Club’s Hells Bells event being postponed.

On Friday, one day out from the event, the committee and contest directors made the decision to postpone the prestigious surfing event due to a lack of swell at the Bells Beach location.

Torquay Boardriders Club president Harry Mann was disappointed by the limited opportunity to run the event last Saturday, but was confident the club will be able to run the event in the coming weeks to showcase the best surfers in the state.

“It’s obviously disappointing and a bit of a shame that we had to postpone the event, however with the event having such an amazing legacy and being our premiere event of the year we wanted to make sure we got the best waves possible,” Mann said.

“The weekend dished up some tricky tides and a very small swell which throws a spanner in the works when you’re trying to hold events, especially an event as prestigious as Hells Bells.

“With people travelling from all over the state to partake in the event, we certainly want to make sure we get the right conditions that showcase the strong surfing talents of our competitors.”

The postponed June date was set to not only attract the best surfers from the Torquay Boardriders Club but also invite a select few surfers from other boardriders clubs around the state.

Surfers will make their way from Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula, Point Lonsdale and URBNSURF in Melbourne to participate in the event.

In 2022 the event prize pool is $2,500, with $1,000 being allocated to each of the main draw and women’s divisions and a $500 prize being given to the winning club.

“An announcement about our new date will come in the next week or so,” Mann said.

“We ask all competitors and spectators to keep an eye on our social channels for the new date and other event information.”

To find out more and to see the invitee list for the event, head to facebook.com/torquayboardriders.